2 arrested in alleged ATM skimming operation targeting North Jersey
Police say skimming devices captured customers' debit card information that investigators believe was used to create fraudulent payment cards.
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Two men identified by police as being from Romania have been arrested after a months-long investigation into an alleged skimming operation targeting ATMs throughout North Jersey, according to Saddle River police.
Police identified the men as Eugene Padure and Iulian Brinzan. Investigators say those involved in the alleged scheme installed electronic skimming devices on ATMs to capture customers' debit card information and later removed the devices. Authorities believe the stolen account information was used to create fraudulent payment cards in victims' names.
Police did not identify the ATMs believed to have been targeted or say how many customers may have been affected.
Police said a skimming device found on a local ATM helped investigators identify and locate people believed to be involved. Saddle River police worked with the Madison Police Department and Morris County Prosecutor's Office during the investigation.
Investigators eventually tracked Padure and Brinzan to Saddle River and arrested them, police said.
Authorities later executed search warrants and recovered card-making equipment, additional skimming devices and other evidence that police said was associated with the operation.
Brinzan was charged with criminal use of a scanning device and theft.
Padure was charged with conspiracy to commit theft, criminal use of a scanning device and possession of a scanning device or reencoder with intent to commit an offense.
Police urged ATM users to inspect card readers and keypads for unusual attachments, cover the keypad when entering a PIN and monitor their accounts for unauthorized transactions. The department also recommended using contactless ATM features when available and enabling transaction alerts.
Police said the U.S. Secret Service, Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, New York City Police Department and Charlotte County Sheriff's Office in Florida also assisted.
