PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Six people are facing charges for their alleged roles in a card-skimming scheme that targeted shoppers and ATM users in at least six states, the office of U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha announced Tuesday.
The group is accused of installing devices that steal victims’ card information on ATMs and retail store checkout terminals. From there, they would use that data to create counterfeit cards, then use those to make purchases and withdraw money from bank accounts.
In total, the suspects withdrew more than $300,000 from victims’ accounts, according to Cunha’s office. The number of fraudulent purchases made has not yet been determined.
Cunha’s office said the investigation began in Oct. 2023 when a skimming device was found on a drive-through ATM at a bank in Bristol.
The investigation led to the discovery of skimming devices on two bank ATMs in Westerly and at 22 stores in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, New Jersey and Virginia. One or more members of the group were allegedly seen on surveillance footage tampering with checkout terminals at stores in Coventry, Johnston and Warwick in Rhode Island and Avon, Raynham, Seekonk and Walpole in Massachusetts between September and December 2023.
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Cunha’s office said all six suspects are foreign nationals who are in the country illegally and hail from California.
Isabela Ignat Codreanu, 23, and Mila Ciuciu, 20, are both Romanian citizens and charged with conspiracy to commit access device fraud.
Top row, L-R: Nicolas Longin Codreanu, Robby Vicson Codreanu, Ionut Zamfir
Bottom row, L-R: Isabela Ignat Codreanu, Mila Ciuciu, Armando Ion Codreanu
Robby Vicson Codreanu, 20, a citizen of Great Britain, faces the same charge.
All three are due to appear in court Tuesday, according to Cunha’s office.
Armando Ion Codreanu, 23, a citizen of Ireland, is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday on charges of conspiracy to commit access device fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
Nicolas Longin Codreanu, 21, a citizen of both Ireland and Romania, faces the same three charges. Cunha’s office said he’s currently in the custody of U.S. Marshals and will face a judge on Thursday.
An arrest warrant has been issued for 37-year-old Ionut Zamfir, a Romanian citizen, on those three charges.
MORE: Card skimmers found at stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.