Julio Lopez Da Silva, Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, Georgia 2023

SAVANNAH, Ga – Two Brazilian nationals have been convicted of a brazen ATM skimming scheme that stole millions from unsuspecting bank customers.

Julio Lopez Da Silva, 38, and Anderson Santos, 41, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Brunswick to charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, respectively. Da Silva faces up to 30 years in prison, while Santos faces a mandatory two-year sentence.

The scheme involved using card-reading devices on ATMs to capture customer information, which was then used to encode blank cards and withdraw large sums of money. Police discovered skimming equipment and nearly $20,000 in cash during a search of a Port Wentworth hotel room where the two men were staying in December 2017.

This case is the latest in a string of recent convictions in the coastal area, all involving foreign nationals operating illegal skimmers. In December 2018, Adrian Burloiu, a Romanian national, pleaded guilty to possessing 15 or more unauthorized access devices and faces up to 10 years in prison.

In March, Yosvel Licor Nunez, Yampiel Granja Sotolongo, and Yoisel Pego Mirabal – all Cuban nationals – were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 20 to 28 months for their part in a scheme to operate skimmers at gas stations.

The cases were investigated by the United States Secret Service, along with local police departments and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “These cases demonstrate the success of cooperative investigations by federal and local agencies teaming up against those who would attempt to profit from fraud and theft,” said U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine.

“The Secret Service has taken a lead role in mitigating the threat of ATM and gas pump skimming, and we will continue to place a strong emphasis on prevention and education with financial institutions, retail partners, and law enforcement,” added Resident Agent in Charge Glen Kessler.

For retailers and financial institutions seeking additional information on ATM and gas pump skimming, contact your local Secret Service Field Office at www.secretservice.gov and ask to speak to the Electronic Crimes Task Force representative.

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