File image of a gavel. (WLNE)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Four foreign nationals in the U.S. illegally were charged in federal court for an alleged ATM and retail store skimming scheme in at least six states including Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
The defendants are accused of placing skimming devices on ATMs in Westerly and Bristol, RI and retail store checkout terminals in Johnston, Warwick and Coventry, RI as well as in Avon, Raynham, Seekonk and Walpole, MA.
The defendants allegedly withdrew more than $300,000 from victims’ bank accounts and also made a number of purchases at retail stores.
Isabela Ignat Codreanu, 23, of Anaheim and Placentia, CA, a citizen of Romania, Robby Vicson Codreanu, 20, Placentia, CA, a citizen of Great Britain, and Mila Ciuciu, 20, of Placentia, CA, a citizen of Romania, are each charged with conspiracy to commit access device fraud.
Armando Ion Codreanu, 23, of Placentia, CA, a citizen of Ireland will appear in court on charges of conspiracy to commit access device fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
Nicolas Longin Codreanu, 21, of Placentia, CA, a citizen of Romania and Ireland is also charged in the case and is being transported to Rhode Island.
An arrest warrant for a sixth defendant Ionut Zamfir, 37, of Los Angeles, CA, a citizen of Romania has also been issued.
The Bristol Police Department received a report from a local bank in October 2023 that a skimming device had been found on a drive-thru ATM.
Surveillance footage was provided of two males placing and removing the skimming device from the ATM.
Homeland Security Investigations determined that one of the individuals also allegedly placed skimming devices at retail stores in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Skimming devices were also placed on ATMs at two banks in Westerly, RI and footage of the suspects allegedly withdrawing cash from compromised accounts matched images of individuals accused of skimming at other locations.