Suspects charged with stealing $300,000 using skimming devices in Massachusetts and 5 other states

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Four of six foreign nationals have been charged in federal court for allegedly installing “skimming” devices on ATMs and store cash registers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and at least four other states.

Isabela Ignat Codreanu, 23, of Anaheim and Placentia, California, a Romanian citizen, Robby Vicson Codreanu, 20, of Placentia, California, a British citizen, and Mila Ciuciu, 20, of Placentia, California, a Romanian citizen, were each charged with conspiracy to commit access device fraud.

Armando Ion Condreanu, 23, of Placentia, California, an Irish citizen, is scheduled to make his first court appearance. Another suspect, Nicolas Longin Codreanu, 21, of Placentia, California, a Romanian-Irish citizen, is in custody of the U.S. Marshals. An arrest warrant has been issued for a sixth defendant, Ionut Zamfir, 37, of Los Angeles, California, a Romanian citizen.

Investigators say the suspects used devices that magnetically steal data from bank cards and then created fake cards to extort money.

“At this point in the investigation, we have identified at least $300,000 in losses that resulted from misconduct. There were also instances where some of the information collected involved federal benefits,” said Zachary Cunha, U.S. attorney for Rhode Island.

Skimmers found in 22 BJ’s Wholesale Clubs

The investigation began last fall when police in Bristol, Rhode Island, found a skimmer in an ATM. It gained momentum when investigators heard reports of skimmers at BJ’s Wholesale Clubs in Rhode Island and Seekonk and at Walmarts in Walpole, Avon and Raynham.

BJ’s Wholesale Clubs told law enforcement that skimmers were found at 22 of its locations, including in Virginia, Maryland, New York and New Jersey. Security camera footage and Department of Homeland Security records were used to identify the suspects.

Four of the suspects are in the country illegally, and one of them overstayed his visa. Two suspects were also arrested on similar charges in California and Tennessee.

Police appeal to customers to remain vigilant

U.S. attorneys and local law enforcement say such cases can be difficult to investigate and that the best defense against skimmers is customer vigilance.

“Some of the scanning devices that are placed on card readers in large national retailers look very similar to real card readers, so you really have to be careful at the checkout,” Cunha said.

Mansfield Police are also investigating a recent skimming incident. Mansfield Police Chief Constable Ronald Sellon says ATM users can protect themselves by taking some simple measures.

“There’s often a little pinhole camera that they install above the keyboard, so I would recommend always covering your hand when you go to our keyboard,” Sellon said.