Docs: Suspects used skimmers to steal credit card numbers at Phoenix-area ATMs
Another suspect, identified as Eduard Ichim, remains on the run
SCOTTSDALE, AZ (AZFamily) — Three foreigners are facing fraud and theft charges after multiple card skimmers and cameras were found on ATMs across the Valley.
Police say 18-year-old Filon Petrican, 20-year-old Fernando Emanuel Cojocaru and 28-year-old Robert Mario Olteanu were all taken into custody. Authorities are still searching for a fourth suspect, Eduard Ichim, in connection to the alleged crimes.
“We’re not certain how many more victims or how much more money is involved,” said Scottsdale Police Det. Dennis Metz.
On Aug. 20, a victim contacted Scottsdale Police to file a report about an someone using his credit card number for three unauthorized transactions totaling $1,500 at a Capital One ATM at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall.
The victim still had his physical card, so the bank was contacted to investigate the theft. The bank provided videos showing a man putting several cards in the ATM and withdrawing cash. Capital One also confirmed the victim’s stolen credit card number was used at the ATM.
The bank also provided six other incidents in which Ichim, either alone or with another suspect, used one or more card numbers at the ATM.
“We know that they had some contact with the skimming device. We’re not sure if they are the suspects that installed them or if they were there just to remove information or use customer card information at those ATMs,” said Metz.
On Sept. 17, investigators tracked the suspect’s license plate, which led them to Ichim’s apartment in Phoenix. Authorities didn’t find Ichim at the apartment, but instead found his brother, Filon Petrican, who was taken into custody.
Court documents say between Sept. 24 and 29, surveillance video captured Ichim and another suspect driving to multiple Circle K stores, QuikTrips, 7-Eleven, Walgreens, CVS, a Bank of America ATM and a U.S. Bank ATM.
On Oct. 1, authorities followed the suspects who went inside a CVS near 35th Avenue and Camelback Road. Detectives witnessed one suspect put a card inside the ATM before both men left.
Court documents say the detective found a pinhole camera above the keypad embedded into the plastic. An investigator also saw a white-colored object that may have been a deep-insert skimmer inside the card slot.
The detective opened the keypad and found two cell phone batteries, a “microchip” and a microSD Card.
After using the ATM at CVS, the suspects went to two different Walgreens, near 19th and Northern Avenues and 32nd Street and Shea Boulevard, and did it again.
A servicing company for the ATMs was called to remove the deep insert skimming devices from inside the card slots of the three ATMs.
The two suspects, identified as Olteanu and Cojocaru, were arrested. Authorities say both men are Romanian citizens.
In an interview with authorities, Olteanu reportedly said he met Cojocaru in San Francisco, and they came to Phoenix with friends but wouldn’t specify who the friends were. When asked about the debit card in his wallet that had information on the magnetic strip from a different card, he claimed he didn’t know about it and denied going to CVS.
Court paperwork states Olteanu claimed he went to the stores to remove the skimmers and resell them for $600. However, court documents say he wouldn’t say who told him to remove the skimmers or who the buyers were. Police showed Olteanu various photos of him at different ATMs, and he reportedly confessed it was him in the pictures.
Authorities also interviewed Petrican. Court documents state he lived in England for 15 years before he and his brother entered the U.S. illegally six months ago.
During a search of the apartment, investigators allegedly found soldering irons and a hot glue gun that could be used to make a skimmer and camera overlay. Gift cards with re-encoded numbers were also found.
Petrican was booked on forgery and fraudulent schemes. Olteanu is facing six counts of theft, forgery and fraudulent use of credit cards, and Cojocaru was booked on four counts.
Authorities are asking the public for help finding Ichim. Anyone with information should call Scottsdale Police at 480-312-5000.
How do I keep my financial information safe?
To detect a credit card skimmer, look for a difference in appearance, feel for looseness, compare to nearby machines, and monitor your bank account.
“They stick it in the card slot. It falls into place and then as the person uses their card the skimmer itself will read the card and the information off the magstripe. The camera will then record the information that’s being punched into the keypad,” Det. Metz explained.
The Arizona Attorney’s General Office says you can also keep the following tips in mind.
- Always use credit cards to pay for gas at the pump. If you have to use a debit card, run it as credit.
- Certain gas stations place security tags/tabs on the pump showing that it is secure. If the tag/tab is broken, move on. Also, look for any pry marks on the gas pump door or if the door is slightly open.
- Look at the surrounding credit card readers at other pumps to see if they look the same. Suspects will often use counterfeit stickers to cover the ones they break while installing a skimming device, so check the stickers on one or more adjacent pumps.
- Use pumps in well-lit areas that are positioned in a clear view of store employees. The scammers installing the devices usually will place a skimmer into the pumps furthest away from the attendant.
- Watch out for large vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, and vans that park in front of fuel dispensers for long periods of time. Criminals have been known to use large vehicles to block the view of the pump from site employees while they install a skimming device.
- If concerned pay inside or go to a different gas station.
State officials say you can also report it to the business, police, and/or file a complaint online. The AG’s office says you can also check out the Arizona Department of Weights and Measures website to identify where credit card skimmers have recently been found.
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