Three Sodexo Employees Arrested for Fraud Scheme at FIFA World Cup Match in Miami

Three employees of Sodexo Live, a food and beverage vendor at Hard Rock Stadium, were arrested Sunday following an investigation into an alleged scheme to defraud the company during FIFA World Cup matches. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said the suspects provided complimentary items to customers while recording the sales totals as tip amounts on credit card transactions, generating substantial unauthorized payments to themselves.

The arrested individuals are Angel Matta, 38, of Miramar; Justin Samuel, 46, of Lauderdale Lakes; and Marcus Tribble, 37, of Lauderhill. According to an arrest report, a Sodexo Live manager discovered the pattern while reviewing transaction data from all six FIFA World Cup games worked at the venue, noting consistently inflated credit card tip percentages attributed to the same three employees.

Each suspect logged into transaction devices using unique identifiers assigned at the beginning of their shifts, allowing investigators to track the alleged fraudulent activity. The manager reported the suspicious pattern to deputies, who determined the total amount diverted through inflated tips totaled $10,138.

All three men face felony charges of organized fraud of $20,000 or less and third-degree grand theft. As of Sunday afternoon, each was being held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on individual bonds of $5,000.