LOS ANGELES – A brazen scheme to siphon funds from the neediest Americans ended with a 10-year federal sentence for Catalin-Marius Graur, 43, a Romanian national who illegally remained in the United States after overstaying a tourist visa. Graur was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi and ordered to pay $165,697 in restitution for his role in a widespread EBT card skimming operation that targeted vulnerable families in California and New York.
The scam involved installing highly sophisticated skimming devices on ATMs and point-of-sale terminals across Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. Graur wasn’t working alone. He was part of a transnational criminal organization originating in Romania, funneling stolen EBT card data back home. Authorities discovered Graur had sent over 36,000 stolen EBT card numbers to an accomplice over a three-year period.
Federal agents caught up with Graur in June 2024, raiding an Airbnb rental in New York City. The search uncovered a staggering $37,000 in cash and a trove of 1,488 stolen access device numbers – the digital fingerprints of compromised EBT cards. Graur pleaded guilty in October 2024 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, acknowledging his central role in the criminal enterprise.
The victims of this scheme were recipients of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, a lifeline for low-income households struggling to afford basic necessities like food and housing. Graur and his crew specifically targeted these individuals, effectively stealing from families already facing hardship. The impact of the theft extends beyond the financial loss, creating instability and hardship for those relying on these vital benefits.
The investigation was a collaborative effort, involving the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the California Department of Social Services, and remarkably, the Romanian National Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Brown of the Major Frauds Section led the prosecution, securing the 120-month sentence for Graur. This case highlights the increasing threat of transnational crime targeting vulnerable populations within the United States.
Graur’s sentence sends a message, but the network that enabled this crime remains a concern. While Graur is behind bars, investigators are likely continuing to probe the full scope of the Romanian criminal organization and its reach within the U.S. financial system. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story and expose those who prey on the most vulnerable among us.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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