Anatoli Mitrev, Conspiracy to Commit Access Device Fraud, Massachusetts 2013

BOSTON – A decade after allegedly ripping off unsuspecting tourists and residents, Anatoli Mitrev, 34, a Bulgarian national, finally admitted guilt yesterday in a sophisticated ATM skimming scheme that preyed on customers of Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank. Mitrev pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit access device fraud, bringing a long-awaited measure of justice to a case that stretched across continents.

The scheme, executed over roughly four weeks in July and August of 2013, involved the meticulous installation of skimmers and hidden cameras on two ATMs located on the idyllic island. These devices silently harvested magnetic strip data and PIN numbers from innocent customers making legitimate transactions. Mitrev and his co-conspirator, Georgi Kanev, then used this stolen information to manufacture counterfeit ATM cards, draining funds directly from the compromised accounts. The pair operated with chilling efficiency, turning a vacation paradise into their personal ATM.

Mitrev’s extradition to the United States in March 2021 marked a significant step forward in the case, following an initial indictment in July 2018. The U.S. Secret Service, leading the investigation alongside local law enforcement, spent years tracking Mitrev across international borders. The Secret Service’s Boston Field Office, under Special Agent in Charge Frederick J. Regan, relentlessly pursued the case, finally bringing Mitrev to face justice. Valuable assistance was also provided by the Edgartown and Oak Bluffs Police Departments.

Kanev, Mitrev’s accomplice, was already sentenced in May 2021 by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 30 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a hefty $199,624 in restitution to the victims of the scheme. The financial damage inflicted by Mitrev and Kanev was considerable, impacting numerous individuals and damaging the reputation of Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank.

Mitrev now awaits sentencing on October 19, 2021, before Judge Sorokin. He faces a potential prison sentence of up to 90 months, along with three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing will be determined based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie A. Queenin, of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit, is prosecuting the case on behalf of Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of financial fraud, even in seemingly secure environments. The U.S. Secret Service continues to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of these crimes, working tirelessly to protect the financial infrastructure and the public from those who seek to exploit it. The long arm of the law, it seems, finally caught up with Mitrev, bringing a measure of closure to a case that spanned nearly a decade.

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