BOISE, ID – Two men are facing federal prison time after admitting to a sophisticated ATM skimming operation that ripped off unsuspecting customers across Idaho and potentially beyond. Atilla Ferenc Orban, 37, and Hakim Slaft Hannaoui, 33, both pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr.
The pair were initially indicted by a federal grand jury on March 9, 2021, following an investigation that spanned multiple jurisdictions. Court records reveal that Orban and Hannaoui weren’t just casually swiping cards; they were actively rigging ATMs with electronic devices – “skimmers” – designed to steal magnetic strip data from payment cards as they were inserted.
This wasn’t a smash-and-grab. The duo wasn’t simply lifting data; they were processing it. Once the skimmers captured the card information, Orban and Hannaoui used specialized equipment to encode the stolen data onto new magnetic stripe cards. These re-encoded cards were then used to illegally obtain cash and purchase goods, effectively turning stolen identities into spending money.
The scope of the operation remains unclear, but investigators from a wide range of agencies – including the U.S. Secret Service, Idaho State Police, and multiple local police departments in Idaho and Washington – worked collaboratively to bring the men to justice. Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez praised the inter-agency cooperation, calling it a demonstration of “high level of competence and excellence in law enforcement.”
Both Orban and Hannaoui face a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in federal prison, along with a maximum fine of $250,000 and up to one year of supervised release. U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill will hand down the final sentences on November 9, 2021, at the federal courthouse in Boise, taking into account U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors. The citizens of Idaho can rest a little easier knowing these two are off the streets.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the ever-evolving tactics employed by financial criminals. As technology advances, so too does the sophistication of fraud, demanding constant vigilance and collaboration from law enforcement at all levels. Gonzalez stated that this case shows that agencies are meeting the challenge, and “the citizenry proud.”
Related Federal Cases
- Joseph Dobie, Aggravated Identity Theft, Maine 2024 · Michigan
- Wilford Amoako Osei, Aggravated Identity Theft, VA 2024 · Virginia
- Jackson Man Sentenced for Aggravated Identity Theft · Washington
- Kevin John Weinreis, Passport Fraud and Identity Theft, Tensed ID, … · Washington
- Gordon Daigle, Identity Theft for Fake ID, Epsom NH, 2023 · Maine
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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