Elvis E. Roman, Bank Fraud, Pennsylvania 2018

PITTSBURGH – A brazen bank fraud scheme that used ATM skimming devices has landed a Romanian national in hot water. Elvis E. Roman, 33, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy and bank fraud.

According to the indictment, in September and October 2018, Roman participated in a conspiracy and scheme to defraud banks in Western Pennsylvania. As part of the scheme, participants installed ATM skimming devices designed to fraudulently obtain the account information associated with cards inserted into the targeted ATM machines.

Using that account information, participants created cloned ATM cards and fraudulently withdrew funds from ATM machines maintained by banks in Washington County. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, or both.

The actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey R. Bengel is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Secret Service and the Cecil Township, Peters Township, and South Strabane Township Police Departments conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case is a stark reminder of the importance of staying vigilant in the face of financial crime.

Roman’s alleged scheme is just the latest example of the sophisticated and brazen nature of financial crime. As our readers know, we at Grimy Times have been exposing the dark underbelly of financial crime for years.

We will continue to follow this case and bring you updates as more information becomes available.

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