Two Romanian nationals will face federal prison time for operating a credit card skimming scam in Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.
When credit, debit, or EBT cards are swiped or put into a card reader, a “skimmer” device captures and stores the information. Scammers may use the card details to make withdrawals and transactions.
Adelin Ionescu, 24, was condemned to 46 months, and Ioan Victor Stanciu, 33, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison on Thursday.
According to the DOJ, the men were unlawfully present in the United States.
In court, Ionescu pleaded guilty to owning skimmer device manufacturing equipment, while Stanciu pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit access device fraud.
Marian Catalin Matei, 24, another Romanian national and co-conspirator, is set to be sentenced on May 21, 2026.
The Department of Justice said investigators began examining a “skimmer” device in a grocery store in Ozark, Alabama, in March 2025. The DOJ claims they linked Ionescu and Stanciu to the case.
According to the Department of Justice, authorities later discovered more skimmer devices hidden by the men in grocery stores across Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. The locations were Dothan, Eufaula, and Mobile.
According to the DOJ, the individuals were able to profit from the scheme by taking about $60,000. The court ordered reparation for the sum taken.
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