Two Romanian Nationals Sentenced in Mississippi Credit Card Skimming Scheme

JACKSON, Miss. (VDN) — Two Romanian nationals have been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for installing credit card skimmers at stores across Mississippi, a scheme that targeted federal food assistance benefits and could have led to more than $37.6 million in fraud losses.

Alexandru Ionut Gheorghe, 28, and Marian Aurelian Neacsu, 29, were sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Jackson after pleading guilty to possession of device-making equipment. A third defendant, Bogdan Gabriel Radu, 22, pleaded guilty to the same charge and will be sentenced at a later date.​

The case was investigated by the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office Cyber Fraud Task Force and the U.S. Secret Service, with prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi.​

Authorities began receiving reports in June 2024 about skimmer devices found on credit card readers at stores in central Mississippi. The investigation uncovered more than 15 skimmers installed across Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana. Stolen data, including SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, was traced to fraudulent purchases as far away as New Jersey and Pennsylvania.​

U.S. District Judge David C. Bramlette III ordered Gheorghe and Neacsu to pay $85,640 in restitution for the stolen SNAP benefits. Upon release, both will be deported.​

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch commended the collaborative effort, stating, “This scheme reached across state lines to steal sensitive financial information using skimmer devices attached to the credit card readers we use in stores every day.”​

Consumer Advisory:

To protect against skimming devices, consumers are advised to:​

• Use tap-to-pay or chip-enabled terminals instead of swiping cards.​
• Inspect card readers for any unusual attachments or signs of tampering.​
• Report suspicious devices to store management or local authorities.​

For more information, visit the Mississippi Attorney General’s website at attorneygenerallynnfitch.com.