25-04-2025
Two Romanian men accused of card skimming in Ozark
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — Two Romanian men who investigators claim may be a part of a nationwide 'large-scale criminal enterprise' have been arrested by Ozark police in Florida.
Adelin Denis Lonescu and Catalina Marian Matei, both 23, were arrested in Lynn Haven, Florida, and charged with encoded data fraud, computer tampering, and criminal possession of a forgery device.
According to the Ozark Police Department, the investigation that led to the suspect's arrest began on March 25 after an employee of an Ozark grocery store found a card skimming device and reported it to police.
Police say these devices capture data from magnetic strips and record PINs typed on a keypad.
Lonescu and Matei were arrested in the Florida panhandle 12 hours into the investigation, police said in a release.
'The investigation has led to networking with the Secret Service, who have indicated that the suspects are connected to a large-scale criminal enterprise operating throughout the country,' said Ozark Police in the release. 'We commend the hard work and dedication of all officers involved in this case and remain committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our community and beyond.'
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