EBT Skimmers Drain Gov’t Aid, 5 Men Hunted

California’s Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system – lifeline for the state’s most vulnerable – was systematically ripped off by a crew of tech-savvy thieves. Federal investigators are now hunting five men accused of running a sophisticated ATM skimming operation targeting those receiving government assistance. The scheme, which deployed hidden devices on point-of-sale terminals, siphoned over $220,000 from over 300 victim accounts.

The FBI identified the suspects as Ilie-Sebastian-Laur Vasilescu, Birdal Osman, Silviu-Florin Spiridon, Bogdan Adrian Purgariu, and a man known only as “Walerian Grabowski.” These individuals allegedly installed nearly invisible skimming devices on ATMs and cash registers throughout California. These devices captured card data when victims swiped their EBT cards, and tiny cameras recorded PINs as they were entered – a classic, but devastatingly effective, combination.

The stolen information wasn’t just used for immediate cash withdrawals. Federal prosecutors say the crew leveraged the compromised data to request fraudulent disbursements, directly draining funds from CalWorks (cash assistance) and CalFresh (food stamps) accounts. The California Department of Social Services estimates the total loss to CalWorks alone exceeded $75 million, while CalFresh suffered over $23 million in damages. The sheer scale of the theft points to a highly organized operation, not a spur-of-the-moment crime.

While the five fugitives remain at large, two alleged co-conspirators, Ionut Dragos Munteanu and Claudiu Mezinu, are already in custody, awaiting trial. Their arrests, however, haven’t slowed the search for the remaining suspects. The FBI warns the public that Vasilescu, Osman, Spiridon, Purgariu, and Grabowski should be considered dangerous and urges anyone with information to come forward. Photos and wanted posters are available on the FBI’s official website.

This isn’t just a matter of stolen money; it’s a direct attack on programs designed to help families and individuals in need. Every dollar skimmed from an EBT card represents food taken from a child’s table or rent money snatched from a struggling family. The Orange County Financial Crimes Working Group is leading the investigation, collaborating with multiple federal and state agencies to dismantle the network and bring all those responsible to account.

The feds are asking anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Ilie-Sebastian-Laur Vasilescu, Birdal Osman, Silviu-Florin Spiridon, Bogdan Adrian Purgariu, or Walerian Grabowski to contact the Orange County Financial Crimes Working Group immediately. Don’t wait. These thieves preyed on the vulnerable, and it’s time they faced the consequences. Tipsters can remain anonymous, but every detail, no matter how small, could be crucial to cracking this case.