Two men, Atilla Ferenc Orban and Hakim Slaft Hannaoui, have pleaded guilty to aggravating identity theft in a federal court in Idaho. The crime, which involves using electronic devices to capture payment card information, has been a growing concern in recent years.
According to court records, Orban and Hannaoui conspired to commit access device fraud. As part of the scheme, they attached electronic devices known as “skimmers” to ATMs. Once installed, the skimmers captured the information stored on the magnetic strips of payment cards inserted into the ATMs. Orban and Hannaoui retrieved the information captured by the skimmers and used equipment to encode the fraudulently obtained payment card information onto the magnetic strips of physical cards. They then used the re-encoded cards to unlawfully acquire money and other goods.
The men were indicted by a federal grand jury on March 9, 2021. Sentencings for both men are set for November 9, 2021, before U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Boise.
Orban and Hannaoui face a mandatory term of two years in federal prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to one year of supervised release. The federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez credited the cooperative efforts of the U.S. Secret Service, Idaho State Police, Boise Police Department, Caldwell Police Department, Nampa Police Department, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Vancouver Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which led to charges.
Gonzalez said, “This investigation and prosecution demonstrate the high level of competence and excellence in law enforcement displayed by those who serve at all levels of federal, state and local law enforcement in Idaho and Washington.”
The case highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies in preventing and investigating financial crimes. As criminals and their enterprises have evolved in technical sophistication, law enforcement agencies have met the challenge, demonstrating their ability to adapt and respond to new threats.
Key Facts
- State: Idaho
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
