ROANOKE, VA – A member of a transatlantic ATM skimming ring is headed to federal prison after receiving a 30-month sentence, authorities announced today. Marius Catalui, 47, a Romanian national, pleaded guilty to access device fraud and aggravated identity theft in June 2021, admitting his role in a scheme that drained over $300,000 from banks across the Western District of Virginia.
Catalui wasn’t acting alone. Between December 2018 and May 2019, he and a crew of accomplices traveled to the United States specifically to install “skimming devices” – sophisticated tools designed to steal debit and credit card information – onto ATMs at federally-insured banks. These devices, coupled with tiny hidden cameras, captured both account numbers and the all-important PINs of unsuspecting customers.
The operation was meticulously planned. Once the data was harvested, the group re-encoded the stolen information onto blank plastic cards, effectively creating counterfeit cards. They then used these fraudulent cards to make unauthorized cash withdrawals, systematically looting accounts before anyone realized what was happening. The scale of the operation is staggering: over $300,000 was stolen before law enforcement caught up.
The U.S. Secret Service, along with a coalition of Virginia law enforcement agencies – including the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office, Roanoke County Police Department, and several others – brought the operation to a halt. The investigation revealed a complex network designed to exploit vulnerabilities in the banking system and profit from the financial hardship of others.
U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh emphasized the severity of the crime. In addition to the 30-month prison sentence, Catalui was ordered to pay $351,642 in restitution to the impacted banks, a small measure of recompense for the damage inflicted. Assistant U.S. Attorney Coleman Adams skillfully prosecuted the case, securing a conviction and a significant penalty.
While Catalui is now behind bars, the case serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of financial fraud and the importance of vigilance. Banks continue to upgrade security measures, but criminals are constantly adapting. This case highlights the international scope of these crimes, with perpetrators often originating from overseas and targeting vulnerable systems within the United States. The Grimy Times will continue to follow developments in financial crime and expose those who prey on innocent citizens.
Related Federal Cases
- Christopher Guilford, Tax Refund Scheme, Sacramento CA, 2025 · Virginia
- Jeffrey Phares, Cemetery Fraud, West Virginia, 2023 · Virginia
- Crystal Renee Severson, Skimmed Licensing Fees, GAULEY BRIDGE WV, 2026 · Virginia
- Karen McGinnis, Tax Theft, Mountain Top PA, 2023-2025 · Virginia
- Sark Wire Corporation, PPP Fraud, Albany NY, 2023 · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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