Man Indicted For Financial Fraud and Possessing ATM Skimming Device

FORT WAYNE –Dumitru Tirlea, 46, of Nottingham, United Kingdom had a two count indictment returned against him for attempting to defraud a financial institution and possessing access device making equipment, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

According to documents in the case, on or about November 28, through 30, 2018, Tirlea attempted to execute a scheme to defraud a federally insured financial institution.  Law enforcement has been investigating several reports of skimming devices being placed on bank ATMS as well as gas station credit card readers at gas pumps.  The device captures and stores the credit and debit card numbers of unsuspecting victims.  Subsequently the device is removed and the stored information is used to produce fraudulent credit/debit cards for unauthorized transactions.

In this case, a financial institution in Warsaw, Indiana reported finding a device on their ATM on November 28, 2018.  Law enforcement conducted surveillance on the affected ATM. On November 30, Tirlea pulled up on the ATM and not having enough time to complete a transaction drove off.  Law enforcement followed, conducted a traffic stop and arrested him.  Tirlea, was identified based on ATM surveillance video as the individual who placed the device on the ATM on November 28, 2018.  On December 3, 2018, Tirlea was arrested and charged via criminal complaint.

The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Indiana State Police Organized Crime and Corruption Unit and Warsaw Police Department.  This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey Speith.