Two Romanian nationals have found themselves on the wrong side of the law after being indicted for access device fraud, a term that refers to credit and debit card skimming, a method of stealing card information. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, last Friday, Andrei Fagaras, 35, and Tamas Kolozsvari, 30, were charged with three counts of the crime, allegedly committed in November 2024 in the Eastern District of Louisiana.
The indictment alleges that on November 13 and 14, Fagaras and Kolozsvari were in possession of device-making equipment specifically card skimmers which are illegal tools used to capture sensitive payment card information. If convicted, both men face up to fifteen years of incarceration and fines of up to $250,000 for each of the three counts they're charged with this verdict would no doubt change the trajectories of their lives, casting long shadows upon their futures.
While an indictment signals serious charges, it is important to remember, as U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans emphasizes, "that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt." The burden of proof lies squarely on the shoulders of the prosecution to convince the court that Fagaras and Kolozsvari are guilty as charged, as detailed by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The investigation into the alleged fraud involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the United States Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General; the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office; the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office; and the New Orleans Police Department, illustrating the collaborative nature of addressing cyber and financial crimes, the Assistant United States Attorney Christine M. Calogero is leading the charge in the prosecution which reflects a continued commitment to bringing alleged digital age criminals to justice.
