Two Romanian nationals charged with stealing bank acount numbers
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Two Romanian nationals are in federal custody for allegedly using card skimmers to steal the account numbers from PNC Bank card users and then using those accounts to spend some $200,000.
Alexandra Razvan Serb and Mihai Popa are charged with bank fraud, access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.
The Western Pennsylvania Financial Crimes Task Force got information from PNC Bank that in January, investigators learned that more than $200,000 in fraudulent credit and debit card purchases had been made in New York City and Washington, D.C. The investigators were able to trace the compromised accounts to ATMs in Pittsburgh, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case.
Video surveillance at the ATMs showed two white men installing what is known as a skimmer onto the machine. The skimmer, which goes undetected by customers, collects account information from the magnetic strip on debit and credit cards. The suspects installed the skimmer about five times, including twice at PNC's branch in Shaler Plaza on Route 8.
Agents did surveillance at that location on April 15, and at 5 p.m., they saw men matching the surveillance photographs approach the ATM, the complaint said. As a detective approached them, both men walked away in different directions.
The detective stopped Mr. Serb, and during a search of his bag, the officer found a skimmer, bag and knife, as well as bundles of cash.
On Mr. Popa, officers found a key to a motel room in Mars. During a search of the room, investigators found two laptop computers, six cell phones, nine Wal-Mart gift cards and one magnetic strip reader.
Both men, who had Romanian passports and American visas, waived their detention hearings and are in custody.
First Published April 21, 2010 5:05 pm
