KTVU reported this past month that six foreign nationals in California were charged in a federal court for their involvement in a multi-state ATM skimming scam. 

The suspects, all illegally present in the U.S., allegedly installed skimming devices on bank ATMs and retail store checkout units across at least six states. These devices captured credit, debit, and benefit card information, which the suspects used to create fraudulent cards. These cards facilitated unauthorized withdrawals from victims’ bank accounts and purchases at various retailers.

The suspects are Armando Ion Codreanu, 23, of Placentia, CA, a citizen of Ireland; Isabela Ignat Codreanu, 23, of Anaheim and Placentia, CA, a citizen of Romania; Robby Vicson Codreanu, 20, of Placentia, CA, a citizen of Great Britain; Mila Ciuciu, 20, of Placentia, CA, a citizen of Romania; and Nicolas Longin Codreanu, 21, of Placentia, CA, a citizen of Romania and Ireland. 

These suspects face conspiracy charges to commit access device fraud, with additional bank fraud charges and aggravated identity theft for some. An arrest warrant has been issued for a sixth suspect, Ionut Zamfir, 37, of Los Angeles, CA, a citizen of Romania.The group allegedly used skimming devices to steal over $300,000 from bank accounts.