SCRANTON, PA – A brazen scheme to drain cash from a local credit union has landed a Romanian national in federal prison. Costel Aparaschivei, 38, was sentenced to 45 months behind bars on Tuesday by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. The operation, barely a month in the making after Aparaschivei illegally entered the United States, targeted Penn East Federal Credit Union in South Abington Township.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Aparaschivei and his accomplice, Daniel Gologan, conspired between October 6th and October 21st, 2018, to flood the system with counterfeit debit cards. These cards, loaded with stolen account numbers and PINs sourced in New York, were then transported to Pennsylvania, where the pair attempted to siphon off a staggering $144,620 from the credit union.
While their attempt wasn’t fully successful, the duo managed to pilfer $66,510 before being caught. Judge Mariani didn’t show leniency, ordering Aparaschivei to pay back every stolen dollar as restitution. The judge also pointedly noted the swiftness with which Aparaschivei launched his criminal enterprise upon entering the country illegally – a clear indication of premeditation and disregard for U.S. law.
The Secret Service and the South Abington Township Police Department jointly investigated the case, meticulously tracking the flow of fraudulent cards and building a case against the pair. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo successfully prosecuted the case, presenting evidence that led to both Aparaschivei and Gologan pleading guilty to the charges.
Gologan, also facing charges of bank fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft, received a 40-month sentence. Both men are slated for deportation to Romania once they complete their prison terms, a grim reminder that crossing federal law enforcement carries severe consequences, even for foreign nationals.
This case highlights the Secret Service’s ongoing commitment to combating financial crimes, even those originating overseas. The speed of the investigation and prosecution underscores the agency’s ability to quickly dismantle these types of schemes and bring perpetrators to justice. The financial impact on Penn East Federal Credit Union, though partially recovered through restitution, serves as a stark warning to potential fraudsters: the risks far outweigh the rewards.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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