HARTFORD, CT – George Dragusin, a 65-year-old Romanian national known by aliases “Georgio Anderini” and “Einstein,” is headed to federal prison for 33 months after admitting his central role in a sophisticated, coast-to-coast ATM skimming operation. Dragusin was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea, bringing a measure of closure to a case that bled banks dry from Connecticut to California.
The scheme, active between February and June 2017, initially targeted Connecticut banks, racking up approximately 35 incidents of skimming in towns like Stratford, Monroe, Trumbull, Greenwich, and Fairfield. Dragusin and his crew weren’t after small change; they deployed hidden devices at ATMs to steal account numbers and PINs as unsuspecting customers went about their business. Those stolen credentials were then used to create counterfeit ATM cards, allowing the group to drain accounts and finance a lavish lifestyle.
The initial Connecticut damage, totaling $286,069, was just the tip of the iceberg. Federal investigators soon discovered that Dragusin’s operation wasn’t limited to the Nutmeg State. Between March and September 2018, Dragusin expanded his reach to Nevada, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, and California, adding another $645,000 to the total losses – bringing the grand total to over $930,000. The man was a professional, moving from state to state, installing and removing the skimming tech with cold efficiency.
Dragusin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft on August 23, 2019. He admitted to personally installing and removing the skimming devices, and to using the stolen information to obtain cash from multiple banks. He’s been cooling his heels in jail since his arrest in Hayward, California, in September 2018, and will now begin serving his 33-month sentence.
The investigation was a multi-agency effort, involving the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, the U.S. Secret Service (New Haven and Las Vegas offices), and police departments from Greenwich, Monroe, Dixon (California), and Hayward (California), as well as Homeland Security Investigations and the NYPD. This wasn’t a lone wolf operation; it required coordination and a network of accomplices.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King prosecuted the case, bringing Dragusin to justice. While 33 months is a significant sentence, it barely scratches the surface of the financial and emotional damage inflicted on the victims of this calculated and widespread fraud. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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