2 Romanian citizens arrested in Texas credit card skimming operation
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) said it helped prevent more than $5.2 million in potential losses to victims after an operation in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
According to TDLR, two Romanian citizens were arrested Saturday after law enforcement officers uncovered a fully operational credit card skimmer factory inside the suspect's residence after executing a search warrant.
TDLR said the suspects, who were identified as Petruta Camelia Ciuperca, 34, and Alexandru Constantin, 34, were actively constructing and assembling skimming devices designed to attach to ATMs.
'Authorities seized hundreds of altered credit cards containing stolen victim information, approximately $16,000 in cash and tools and equipment used to manufacture skimming devices,' TDLR said.
Both Ciuperca and Constantin were booked into the Dallas County jail Saturday.
Jail records showed Ciuperca was charged with:
Engaging In Organized Criminal Activity
Fraud Poss/Use Credit Or Debit Card =>50
Poss Cs Pg 1/1-B <1g
Unl Inter/Use/Disc Wire/Oral Elec Communicate
Fraud-Inprsnate Obtn Cdt M
According to jail records, Constantin was charged with:
Engaging In Organized Criminal Activity
Fraud Poss/Use Credit Or Debit Card =>50
Poss Cs Pg 1/1-B <1g
Unl Inter/Use/Disc Wire/Oral Elec Communicate
Ciuperca was held on a bond of $120,000, and Constantin was held on a bond of $76,500.
According to jail records, the two were living in the U.S. illegally.
TDLR said authorities were still seeking an unnamed third suspect.
'This case highlights the critical importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies in combating financial crimes,' said Special Agent Jerry Alvarez of the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center. 'Our joint efforts have significantly disrupted an organization that posed a severe threat to individuals and businesses in Texas.'
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