Romanian National Charged In Washington Co. Card Skimming Scheme
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SOUTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP (KDKA) – Police have arrested a man in connection with a card skimming scheme in Washington County.
Police say 33-year-old Elvis Roman was arrested following a traffic stop in Peters Township.
Last week, police were notified when 255 unauthorized transactions were traced back to Washington Financial Bank locations in Peters, North Franklin, South Strabane and Washington. A skimming device was placed on the ATM machines and the unauthorized transactions added up to nearly $50,000.
"This is consistent with a card skimming scheme and subsequent clone card usage to withdraw funds from their accounts," said South Strabane Police Sgt. Ken Torboli.
Police reviewed security footage and were able to identify a suspect's vehicle. Peters Township Police spotted the vehicle on Saturday and took Roman into custody.
During questioning, he admitted to using cloned cards to withdraw cash, which he would then mail to other people involved in the plot.
"Most times these groups will travel interstate systems, they will conduct these scheme quickly, obtain a large amount of cash quickly, and be out of the area just as quick," said Sgt. Torboli. "So this is very fortunate that one of these people is in custody right now."
Police are looking for a second suspect.
Meanwhile, Roman told police he is a Romanian national and also admitted to being in the country illegally.
"He has provided us with information that he is in the country illegally, that he may be from Romania originally, but we have no way to verify the information he has giving us," Sgt. Torboli said.
He is being charged with access device fraud and theft by deception.