A Romanian man, Ciprian Costel Borcea, 46, has been sentenced to 4 years in prison for his role in a brazen ATM skimming scheme that left over 700 customers in the Pittsburgh area out of more than $450,000.
Borcea, a resident of Bacau, Romania, was convicted of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft after a lengthy investigation by the U.S. Secret Service.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Borcea and his accomplices installed skimming devices on local ATMs in March and April 2023, capturing sensitive information from the magnetic strips of ATM cards. The devices were then used in conjunction with pinhole cameras to capture customers’ personal identification numbers, allowing the scammers to create counterfeit ATM cards and withdraw money from the victims’ accounts.
The investigation revealed that Borcea was captured on surveillance video installing the skimming devices and cameras, retrieving the devices, and using the counterfeit ATM cards to withdraw money from customer accounts. The Secret Service set up surveillance of an ATM in the Cleveland, Ohio, area, where Borcea attempted to install another skimming device. Borcea was taken into custody, and a search of his vehicle revealed a skimming device, counterfeit ATM cards, and other evidence linking him to the Pittsburgh-area ATM skimming scheme.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan commended the U.S. Secret Service for their work in bringing Borcea to justice.
Borcea’s sentence serves as a warning to those who would seek to exploit innocent victims through financial crimes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to protect the public from these types of scams.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Olshan said, ‘The U.S. Secret Service’s investigation and prosecution of Borcea sends a clear message that we will not tolerate these types of crimes. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect the public from financial predators like Borcea.’
The case is a reminder that financial crimes can have devastating consequences for victims, and it’s essential for individuals to be vigilant when using ATMs and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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