A man accused of defrauding public assistance benefits from low-income families faced a federal judge in Los Angeles today. Andrei Bogdan Arteni, a Romanian national, is charged with conspiracy to steal over half a million dollars in funds designated for essentials like food and housing. Arteni was detained following his arrest in Santa Ana and is scheduled for a subsequent hearing in San Diego, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California.
Law enforcement alleges Arteni and accomplices installed skimming devices on point-of-sale terminals from October 2023 to March 2024. These devices were strategically placed in stores within communities heavily populated by recipients of public benefits. A sophisticated operation ensued, as the data captured from EBT cards was transferred to counterfeit cards for significant cash withdrawals. As per a Justice Department press release, the theft surpassed $580,000 in losses, "stealing public assistance funds from those who need it most," stated U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath.
Additionally, search warrants executed in National City, Newport Beach, and across Romania led to the seizure of significant cash, jewelry, and skimming devices. In a coordinated international effort, the U.S. worked alongside Romanian authorities, indicating the extensive reach of law enforcement when combating crimes that traverse borders.
The tip-off came from surveillance photos at San Diego County ATMs where fraudulent transactions were recorded. The scope of the victims' geography encompassed several Southern California counties, including San Diego, Los Angeles, and Riverside. "EBT fraud is especially devastating," said Jason Reynolds of the U.S. Secret Service, condemning the criminal actions that target vulnerable community sectors. Eddy Wang from Homeland Security Investigations highlighted the international cooperation that was crucial in apprehending the suspects, as reported by the official press release.
If found guilty of using unauthorized access devices and related crimes, Arteni could face up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Victims of EBT theft in San Diego County should report the theft within ten days using the resources from the county's Department of Health & Human Services.
