Marius Catalin Trica, a Romanian national that U.S. authorities describe as part of a transnational fraud ring, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after admitting to bank fraud tied to an Electronic Benefit Transfer skimming scheme. Prosecutors say the crew imported skimming devices and fake IDs, then used cloned debit cards loaded with New York EBT account numbers to pull cash from ATMs across Los Angeles, hitting people who rely on public assistance. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles led the probe and said Trica used the stolen funds to bankroll his lifestyle while living in the United States illegally.
According to a press release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Trica pleaded guilty to bank fraud on Nov. 24, 2025, and was sentenced on March 6, 2026, to 18 months behind bars. Investigators said Trica had been smuggled into the United States multiple times and at one point tried to cross the border in a Mexican ambulance. “Our HSI special agents are committed to not only bring criminals like this to justice, but to ensure our most vulnerable citizens are protected from the global reach of fraud,” HSI Los Angeles Special Agent Eddy Wang said in the statement.
How investigators say the scheme worked
The ICE statement says the transnational group brought skimming devices and fraudulent identification documents into the country, then installed the skimmers at retail locations to capture card data from unsuspecting customers. With that stolen data, the group allegedly cloned cards tied to New York EBT account numbers and used the counterfeit cards to withdraw cash at ATMs in Los Angeles. Numerous victims who depended on those benefits for food and basic living expenses had their accounts hit. Investigators say records and seized devices showed the group spent the stolen money on travel, lodging and everyday expenses while operating across borders.
A pattern of cross-border skimming
Federal prosecutors have taken down similar operations in recent years, pointing to what they describe as a pattern of transnational crews zeroing in on public-benefits accounts. In 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles secured more than six years in prison for a Romanian ringleader who used illegal skimmers and cloned cards to steal from low-income families, in a case that also involved shipping devices and disposable identities. Officials say that earlier prosecution helped push task forces to keep the pressure on these scams, which disproportionately hurt people least able to absorb sudden losses to their benefits. The prior sentencing was noted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California.
What investigators say comes next
HSI Los Angeles said it led the investigation locally with support from HSI San Diego and HSI Bucharest, along with cooperation from Romanian law-enforcement partners and several New York agencies. Authorities identified numerous victims and say efforts are underway to notify affected account holders and coordinate recovery of funds where possible. The probe is still active, and officials report they will continue chasing leads that could result in additional arrests or forfeiture of illicit proceeds.
