A group of three individuals from Southern California has been arrested for suspected ATM fraud, leaving victims puzzled about their cashless transactions.
The suspects, originally from Romania, allegedly deceived unsuspecting ATM users by dropping cash on the ground. When the victim bent down to retrieve the money, they would then replace the ATM card with a fake one.
Authorities claim these men swindled at least a dozen people across various counties, including Orange, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento.
One notable incident involved a 66-year-old man trying to withdraw money in Villa Park, Orange County. In this case, the suspects coordinated their efforts, with one observing the victim entering his PIN while the other dropped cash nearby.
As the elderly man leaned down, one suspect switched out his ATM card with a counterfeit, using the legitimate card to withdraw cash, according to police. After investigating this event, law enforcement found links to other similar thefts.
“This incident helped us connect with surrounding areas and notice patterns,” noted Sgt. Gerald McCann from the OC Sheriff’s Office.
With security camera footage, police identified a gray SUV involved in these crimes and traced it back to other incidents.
The three suspects—Romita Achitei, 61, Paul Agafitei, 43, and George Asafiei, 46—now face serious charges including grand theft, identity theft, and forgery. Investigators suspect there are many more victims of their scam.
The OC Sheriff’s Department is urging the public to be vigilant about this type of theft, noting that these criminals can be quite skilled and persuasive. They also warned that distraction theft can occur beyond ATMs, like in grocery or retail store lines, where thieves might aim to steal PIN codes as well.
Authorities advise ATM users to remain cautious, avoid engaging with strangers while using their cards, and to be aware of their surroundings during transactions.
