A Romanian admitted to directing a large-scale scheme that stole bank account information in the United States. His crime ring stole more than USD 5 million from U.S. bank customers. His operation is one of the largest ever uncovered by U.S. law enforcement.

Marius Vintila, also known as “Dan Girneata,” who was arrested in Sweden and extradited to the United States in February 2014.

On January 29, 2015, Vintila pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. He could get a maximum sentence of 32 years in prison and a USD 1.25 million fine. The court will announce his sentence on May 5, 2015.

Marius Vintila, 31, was the ringleader of an extensive ATM skimming (stealing bank account information) scheme that targeted thousands of bank customers and defrauded Citibank, TD Bank, Wells Fargo, and multiple other financial institutions out of at least USD 5 million. The crime group operated throughout New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Florida, and elsewhere, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Vintila and his conspirators made and installed sophisticated card-reader devices capable of reading and storing customers’ bank account information as the customers performed routine bank transactions at ATMs. They also concealed pinhole cameras in panels designed to match existing ATM components. The cameras recorded customer keystrokes as they entered their personal identification numbers.

Vintila and his associates used the stolen account data to create thousands of fraudulent ATM cards, which they used to withdraw millions of dollars from customers’ bank accounts.

Vintila used the alias Dan Girneata to open bank accounts, rent vehicles and rent multiple self-storage units where he stored skimming devices, pinhole cameras, super glue, tape, SD cards, batteries, computers, molds, fraudulent ATM cards, and cash proceeds. He also provided other conspirators with fake passports and aliases to use in the scheme.

In July 2013, Vintila fled the United States, as federal agents arrested various members of his crime group. He was apprehended in Sweden in October 2013 and then extradited to the U.S. Vintila has been held without bail since his arrival in the United States in February 2014.

The Romanian’s ATM skimming operation is one of the largest ever uncovered by law enforcement. To date, 16 individuals, including Vintila, have been charged. Many of them are also Romanians. Eleven of those 16 have pleaded guilty.

editor@romania-insider.com