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Sebastian Bulacu, 37, Florin Radu, 42, and Valentin Cristian Alexandru, 36, three Romanian nationals, were sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison for their roles in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud through an ATM skimming scheme in Oklahoma City. The scheme, which took place in January 2025, involved installing devices on ATMs to capture debit card information and record customers’ personal identification numbers (PINs), allowing the defendants to access victims’ bank accounts and steal funds. The defendants caused an estimated $193,598 in losses across the country, including in Oklahoma.
The investigation, led by the United States Secret Service, resulted in the defendants being charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud by a federal grand jury on September 2, 2025. Bulacu, Radu, and Alexandru each pleaded guilty and admitted conspiring to obtain money through bank fraud. U.S. District Judge Patrick R. Wyrick sentenced Bulacu and Radu to serve 51 months each in federal prison and Alexandru to serve 41 months in federal prison, and ordered each defendant to pay $193,598 in restitution.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that aims to repel the invasion of illegal immigration and protect communities from violent crime and transnational criminal organizations. The defendants will be deported upon completion of their sentences.
The sentencing hearings highlighted the seriousness of the offense and the amount of money stolen from victims across the country. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Krista L. Hodges-Eckhoff.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Oklahoma
- Location: OK
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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