42yo Romanian national found guilty in largest “ATM skimming” scheme in the USA
A 42-year-old Romanian, extradited from Spain in the USA, was found guilty in Newark for involvement in stealing USD 5 M from thousands bank accounts on the U.S. East coast, in the case of the large-scale scheme that stole bank account information through a process commonly referred to as “ATM skimming,” in which conspirators secretly installed card-reading devices on ATMs throughout New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Florida, NorthJersey.com reported.
Alin Cărăbuş is the 15th person on trial in this scheme, one “of the largest” ever tracked down, affecting thousands of Citibank, TD Bank, Wells Fargo and other bank customers during 2012-2013. The Romanian national risks 30 years of prison. The verdict is to be given on February 23.
30yo Robert Eduard Mate, was also found guilty in the same file. Both of them had been extradited from Spain, where they had been trying to hide after the American security forces had dismantled their criminal group.
Cărăbuş and Mate were part of a Romanian bank robber group in Queens, which designed sophisticated card-reader devices capable of reading and storing customers’ bank account information as the customers performed routine bank transactions at ATMs on the U.S. East Coast.
Another two Romanians were arrested in 2013 in the same file and have been convicted last year: Marius Vintila, aged 34, the leader of the group and his deputy, Bogdan Radu. Vintila was sentenced to 10 years in prison, while Radu got two years and a half in jail. They also had to pay compensations of USD 7.39 M.
The Police is still searching another suspect in this case, Ionuş Vasile Ciruba-Stana, as the US Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson, William Skaggs informed.
Police has tracked down 80 false cards, USD 10,000 in cash, as well as a wig, a hat and a pair of sunglasses used by one of the suspects to disguise.
Marius Vintila, aka “Dan Girneata,” was arrested in Sweden and extradited to the United States admitted to directing this mega-scheme. He pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini in Newark federal court to Count One of a superseding indictment, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and Count Two, aggravated identity theft.
In July 2013, as federal agents in New Jersey arrested various members of his large-scale ATM skimming scheme, Vintila fled the United States. On Sept. 24, 2013, he was apprehended in Sweden and subsequently extradited to the United States. Vintila has been held without bail since his arrival in the United States in February 2014.
According to documents filed in this and other cases and statements made in court:
Vintila was the ringleader of an extensive ATM skimming scheme that targeted thousands of bank customers and defrauded Citibank, TD Bank, Wells Fargo, and multiple other financial institutions out of at least $5 million.
Vintila and his conspirators constructed sophisticated card-reader devices capable of reading and storing customers’ bank account information as the customers performed routine bank transactions at ATMs. Vintila and his conspirators also concealed pinhole cameras in panels designed to match existing ATM components. Vintila then taught and directed several conspirators to install the devices on ATMs. Once installed, the card-reader devices secretly read identity and account information contained on the magnetic strip of customer ATM cards. The pinhole cameras recorded customer keystrokes as they entered their personal identification numbers.
After the account information was stolen, Vintila and his conspirators used the stolen data to create thousands of fraudulent ATM cards, which they used to withdraw millions of dollars from customers’ bank accounts. Vintila also used an alias, “Dan Girneata,” to open bank accounts, rent vehicles and rent multiple self-storage units where he stored skimming devices, pinhole cameras, super glue, tape, SD cards, batteries, computers, molds, fraudulent ATM cards, and cash proceeds. Vintila also provided other conspirators with fake passports and aliases to use in furtherance of the scheme.
Vintila’s deputy, Bogdan Radu, who was charged separately, helped design and construct the ATM skimming devices used during a large portion of the scheme. Radu pleaded guilty to bank fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft in February 2014.
Vintila’s ATM skimming operation is one of the largest ever uncovered by law enforcement. 16 individuals, including Vintila, have been charged in this case. Eleven of those 16 have pleaded guilty.
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