Christopher Panagiotou-Scigliano, Wire Fraud, Idaho 2022

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ATM Skimming Duo Plead Guilty

Two Idaho men have admitted to using ATMs to steal financial information, leading to federal charges of aggravated identity theft. Atilla Ferenc Orban, 37, and Hakim Slaft Hannaoui, 33, pleaded guilty to the crime, which could result in significant prison time and fines.

According to court records, Orban and Hannaoui conspired to commit access device fraud by attaching electronic devices known as ‘skimmers’ to ATMs. These skimmers captured the information stored on the magnetic strips of payment cards inserted into the ATMs.

Once they had the information, Orban and Hannaoui 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 indictment against Orban and Hannaoui was handed down 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.

Under federal law, 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 multiple law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service, Idaho State Police, Boise Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Gonzalez praised the agencies for their high level of competence and excellence in law enforcement.

“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,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez.