SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Three Romanian nationals have been arrested in connection with an alleged organized crime ring accused of installing payment card skimming devices at retailers across West Texas, a scheme authorities say could have cost consumers and businesses an estimated $6 million.
The Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC) announced the arrests following a multi-agency investigation that began in June after retailers reported finding multiple point-of-sale skimming devices on payment terminals.
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Investigators allege the suspects installed skimming devices at retailers in Amarillo, Abilene, Lubbock and San Angelo to steal Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card information and credit card data from customers.
Authorities identified the suspects as:
Sebastian Ionut Stefan BratuFrancesco MateiIosiv-Roberto Curea
According to investigators, the three Romanian nationals are believed to be affiliated with a large transnational organized crime group.
Three Romanian nationals accused in West Texas skimming scheme arrested, authorities say (BCSO)
“The economy of Texas and all of the United States is under attack from multiple transnational criminal groups looking to steal as much as they can from an open and free market society,” FCIC Director Adam Colby said in a statement. “The Texas FCIC exists to prevent as much financial loss as possible and dismantle the criminal groups responsible.”
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Courtney Arbour, executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, said financial crimes such as skimming affect both consumers and businesses.
Three Romanian nationals accused in West Texas skimming scheme arrested, authorities say (BCSO)
“Financial crimes like skimming don’t just steal money—they undermine confidence in the everyday transactions Texans rely on,” Arbour said. “This investigation reflects the strength of the partnerships between FCIC, our law enforcement partners and retailers across the state.”
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Working with retailers, FCIC special agents and police departments in Lubbock, Amarillo and Abilene tracked the suspects as they traveled between West Texas and the San Antonio area before obtaining arrest warrants.
On July 16, FCIC special agents, assisted by the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division, Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, arrested the suspects in the 2300 block of Austin Highway in San Antonio.
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Three Romanian nationals accused in West Texas skimming scheme arrested, authorities say (BCSO)
Investigators recovered multiple point-of-sale skimming devices during the investigation, preventing an estimated $6 million in financial losses, according to authorities.
All three suspects were booked into the Bexar County Jail and charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony. The cases are expected to be prosecuted in Randall, Lubbock, Potter and Bexar counties.