Walmart shoppers warned as camera shows gang of thieves placing information-stealing devices at self-checkout

WALMART has become one of many stores that have fallen victim to a group of thieves who have stolen thousands of dollars from customers.

A group of six foreigners allegedly stole nearly $300,000 from unsuspecting individuals using money-saving devices called skimmers.

Three people from alleged crime ring photographed at WalmartSource: Homeland Security Investigations

Walmart customers have been warned about the possibility of skimmers being placed in some locations.Source: Homeland Security Investigations

The FBI previously issued a warning about skimmers that have been found at banks, retail stores, ATMs and other locations.

“The specific device used is often a realistic-looking card reader placed over a factory-installed card reader,” the FBI said.

“Customers insert their ATM card into a fake reader and their account details are swiped and stored on a small connected laptop or mobile phone, or transmitted wirelessly to criminals waiting nearby.”

The group was reported to have placed skimmers in Walmart stores, as well as BJ’s Wholesale stores and ATMs across the country between May and August 2023.

According to the Providence Journal, police affidavits include photos of the alleged criminal group entering various stores and attempting to place skimmers in unsuspecting locations.

Police in Bristol, Rhode Island, began investigating the group in October 2023 after a skimmer was found on Bank Newport ATMs.

In December of that year, Westerly police began receiving numerous complaints about accounts being compromised as a result of skimming devices found in the area.

Authorities said the group allegedly stole $279,250 from 44 different accounts.

According to testimony, the elderly couple reported a loss of $25,000.

“The scale, scope, and brazen nature of these defendants’ scheme to steal financial account information from unsuspecting consumers and use it to obtain funds and assets, as we alleged in federal court, is staggering,” U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha said in a statement.

‘Thief’ caught on camera placing info-stealing device on ATM as police warn ‘numerous’ credit card numbers stolen

Cunha also thanked the Department of Homeland Security for its assistance in the investigation.

“I commend the outstanding work of Homeland Security Investigations, as well as our local law enforcement partners, for their diligent and effective work to dismantle this group of thieves and ensure those responsible face federal prosecution.”

FRACTURE IN THE HOUSING

The criminal group was reported to be living in Orange County, California at the time of their arrest.

Authorities say all six members of the group came to the United States illegally, with four from Romania, one from the U.K. and one from Ireland.

What is a skimmer device?

A skimmer is a tool used to steal confidential information from credit or debit cards during transactions.

Imagine that a skimmer is a sneaky thief hiding in ATMs or payment terminals.
Its job is to secretly steal your credit or debit card details as you use it to make a transaction.
These devices act as tiny spies that can copy your card details, including your card number and PIN, without you even realizing it.
Skimmers can be cleverly disguised to look like regular card readers, making them difficult to detect.
Once bad guys get your details, they can use them to make counterfeit cards or buy something without your permission, which can cause a lot of trouble and stress for you.
It is important to always exercise caution and check for anything unusual happening at your payment terminals to protect yourself from these insidious devices.

So far, police have detained only four of the six members of the organization.

Armando Ion Codreanu, 23, was charged with conspiracy to commit access device fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and identity theft.

Isabela Ignat Codreanu, 23, Robby Vicson Codreanu, 20, and Mila Ciuciu, 20, have been charged with conspiracy to commit access device fraud.

A fifth member of the group, Nicolas Longin Codreanu, 21, has been charged with conspiracy to commit access device fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and identity theft.

According to police, the man is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and is being transported to Rhode Island.

An arrest warrant has also been issued for a sixth member of the group, 37-year-old Ionut Zamfir, who is charged with conspiracy to commit access device fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and identity theft.