Five men have been charged in connection with an alleged conspiracy to steal about $1 million in food assistance benefits from low-income people in Ohio and California, according to federal officials.
According to the US Department of Justice, a federal grand jury indicted Constantin Eugen Ion, 44, Valentin Velicu, 50, Dragos Georghie Vasile, 46, Marian Alexandru Semplican, 23, and Ionut Ilie, 44. Investigators claimed the individuals are all Romanian citizens who utilized several names.
Prosecutors say the gang targeted the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps eligible individuals and families buy food. In Ohio, these benefits are distributed using Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
According to court filings, the defendants employed “point-of-sale skimming” devices put on legal card readers in retail stores. The gadgets were intended to collect card data and personal information from EBT cardholders without their knowledge.
Authorities stated the skimmers were installed at multiple Ohio locations, including 7-Eleven stores in Toledo and Maple Heights, Broadway Food Center in Toledo, and a UPS Store in Mentor. Investigators also discovered devices at other gas stations in Cleveland and Toledo, though the exact sites were not disclosed.
According to the DOJ, the stolen information was used to check account balances and drain funds before being transferred to blank cards and resold.
During a search of one suspect’s home in North Hills, California, authorities allegedly located a workshop used to build the skimming devices. EBT machine faceplates, keypads, wiring, schematics, tools, data extraction components, and several counterfeit identification cards were among the items found.
The plan resulted in the theft or attempted theft of more than $961,000, according to investigators.
The individuals are facing numerous accusations, including conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, access device fraud, identity theft, and the sale or receipt of stolen government monies. One suspect remains at large.
If convicted, a federal court will assess the defendant’s sentence based on considerations such as their criminal history and role in the alleged crimes.
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