LOS ANGELES – A Romanian national has been handed a decade-long federal prison sentence for his part in a massive EBT card skimming operation that targeted vulnerable individuals across California and New York.
Catalin-Marius Graur, 43, whose last known address was in Hollywood, was sentenced to 120 months by United States District Judge Mark Scarsi. Graur was also ordered to pay $165,697 in restitution for his fraudulent activities.
In October 2024, Graur pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The Romanian citizen entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in 2020 but remained after his visa expired. He traveled extensively, installing skimming devices in ATMs and point-of-sale terminals across Los Angeles and the Inland Empire.
Graur was nabbed in New York City in June 2024, where authorities found over $37,000 in cash and 1,488 stolen access device numbers. His arrest came after a transnational criminal organization he worked with was under investigation.
Search warrants executed on an accomplice’s residence revealed that Graur had sent more than 36,000 stolen EBT card numbers to his partner over three years. These cards were specifically designed for recipients to pay for essential needs like housing and food.
The FBI, the United States Secret Service, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the California Department of Social Services, and the Romanian National Police all contributed to the investigation that led to Graur’s conviction. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Brown from the Major Frauds Section handled the prosecution.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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