Marius Vintila, ATM Skimming Scheme, New Jersey 2013

In a shocking revelation, Marius Vintila, a 31-year-old Romanian national, has admitted to being the ringleader of a massive ATM skimming scheme that targeted thousands of bank customers in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Florida, and elsewhere.

According to court documents, Vintila and his conspirators constructed sophisticated card-reader devices capable of reading and storing customers’ bank account information as they performed routine bank transactions at ATMs. The devices also featured pinhole cameras that recorded customer keystrokes as they entered their personal identification numbers.

Vintila and his conspirators used the stolen data to create thousands of fraudulent ATM cards, which they used to withdraw millions of dollars from customers’ bank accounts. The scheme, which was uncovered by law enforcement in July 2013, resulted in at least $5 million in losses for Citibank, TD Bank, Wells Fargo, and multiple other financial institutions.

Vintila fled the United States in July 2013, but was apprehended in Sweden on September 24, 2013. He was subsequently extradited to the United States and has been held without bail since his arrival in February 2014.

On February 11, 2016, Vintila pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 24, 2016.

The scheme, which was one of the largest ever uncovered by law enforcement, has resulted in the arrest and conviction of 16 individuals, including Vintila. The sentences for those convicted range from 24 months to 57 months in prison.

Vintila’s role in the scheme is a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance when it comes to protecting one’s financial information. As the investigation into the scheme continues, it is clear that law enforcement agencies will do everything in their power to bring those responsible to justice.

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