Authorities in Ventura County are on the hunt for two Romanian nationals accused of taking part in a major financial fraud operation that's left some of California's most vulnerable citizens out of pocket. The Ventura County District Attorney's Office has identified Paul Kimpian, also known as Roman Janecek, and Marius Vlaic as suspects who absconded after cutting their GPS ankle monitors post-bail, KTLA reports. Both men face numerous felony charges for their alleged role in a skimming fraud that targeted CalWORKs benefits distributed via EBT cards.
This comes after a joint investigation with the Los Angeles FBI and Romanian authorities into the activities of the Dorneanu Organized Crime Group, reportedly responsible for stealing hundreds of millions of dollars from welfare funds in California. Back in February, the FBI revealed the arrests of 11 individuals in Romania and the confiscation of various items used in the crime, such as cloning devices and significant amounts of cash, but Kimpian and Vlaic have evaded capture since their initial arrest and subsequent bail in April 2023, "Our office remains committed to protecting Ventura County residents from fraud and financial exploitation," District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said, emphasizing the multi-agency efforts to dismantle such criminal enterprises.
Ventura County's plight with EBT skimming fraud has been notable, with losses nearing $2.2 million since 2021. The impact of these crimes has been severe, as they directly affect the county's financially strapped residents. According to official statements, the District Attorney's Government Fraud Unit, backed by the Ventura County Human Services Agency, is tackling this issue head-on by utilizing data from the California Department of Social Services to trace illicit skimming activities, as detailed in a press release from the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
Information about the whereabouts of the wanted individuals Kimpian and Vlaic remain highly sought after, with authorities urging anyone with knowledge to come forward; tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously by calling 1-800-222-TIPS.
