Three Romanian nationals received a combined 143 months in federal prison for running an ATM skimming operation that targeted bank customers across the U.S., prosecutors said this week.
Sebastian Bulacu, 37, Florin Radu, 42, and Valentin Cristian Alexandru, 36, were convicted of placing hidden skimming devices on ATMs in the Oklahoma City area in January 2025. The devices stole debit card details and recorded PINs, enabling the group to clone cards and drain victims’ accounts.
The scheme caused losses of $193,598. Bulacu and Radu each received 51-month sentences, while Alexandru was sentenced to 41 months. All three must repay the full amount and will be deported after serving their terms.
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How the scheme unfolded
The trio traveled through Oklahoma City, installing skimmers designed to look like part of the machines. These copied data from magnetic stripes while hidden cameras or fake keypads captured PINs. The stolen information was then used to produce counterfeit cards or make unauthorized withdrawals.
Despite banks adopting chip-enabled cards, ATM skimming persists. Criminals often target standalone machines in busy areas like gas stations and tourist spots, where customers are less likely to notice tampering. The Secret Service, which led the investigation, noted that many skimming rings are run by transnational groups that move between states to install and retrieve devices.
Law enforcement regularly breaks up such crews, yet the methods keep evolving. Some skimmers now use Bluetooth to transmit data wirelessly, while others hide entirely inside card slots, making detection difficult. U.S. banks lose hundreds of millions each year to payment card fraud, including skimming and cloning. While chip technology has reduced fraud at retail terminals, ATMs stay vulnerable because many still rely on magnetic stripes for compatibility.
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How to reduce the risk
- Check the card reader for loose or misaligned parts before inserting a card.
- Cover the keypad while entering your PIN.
- Use ATMs inside bank branches, which are less likely to be tampered with.
- Monitor account activity for unauthorized withdrawals.
If an ATM looks damaged, avoid it and report it to the bank or police. Consumers who spot unauthorized transactions should contact their financial institution right away. Federal law limits liability for unauthorized transfers if reported q
The Secret Service probe was part of a larger push against organized financial crime. The agency has stressed that skimming operations often involve multiple roles, from installing devices to laundering stolen money.
