Early Wednesday morning in the town of Apple Valley, two men from West Covina were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in a scheme that exploited the welfare system. Sorin Costache, 24, and Adinis Mackis, 32, are suspected of withdrawing thousands of dollars using fraudulent Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. According to a KTLA report, authorities have accused the men of money laundering among other charges.
Investigators had been tracking activities around three banks where they believed EBT card theft had occurred. During a traffic stop near Apple Valley and Bear Valley roads, authorities discovered Costache and Mackis with the alleged fraudulent cards and about $17,000 in cash. "The operation resulted in the arrest of these two individuals and the recovery of fraudulent EBT cards, along with approximately $17,000 in cash," the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department shared in a press release obtained by KTLA.
Both suspects were booked at the High Desert Detention Center, facing charges of grand theft, money laundering, and unauthorized access to card information. A statement released by the Apple Valley Police Department detailed the coordinated effort between their detectives and fraud investigators from San Bernardino County Human Services.
While Mackis's bail was set at $30,000, Costache, identified as a Romanian national, had his bail significantly higher, at $350,000, because he was deemed a flight risk. In efforts to encourage public engagement, anyone with further information can reach out to Investigator Flores, Detective Gates, or the Sheriff’s Dispatch through their provided contact numbers or anonymously via WeTip.
