A trio of Southern California swindlers has been arrested for allegedly perpetrating a tricky ATM scam that left their victims cashless and confused. The three Romanian-born suspects are accused of fooling unsuspecting ATM users by dropping money on the ground before switching their ATM cards with fakes when their victims bent over to pick up the bills.
The men tricked at least a dozen people across Orange, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento counties, according to police reports. In one instance, the suspects allegedly worked together to scam a 66-year-old man trying to withdraw cash in Orange County’s Villa Park.
During the incident, one of the men watched the victim enter his PIN while another dropped money at the senior’s feet. When the man bent down to pick it up, one of the suspects switched the victim’s ATM card out for a fake one before using the victim’s card to withdraw cash. This tactic was repeated in multiple thefts across different counties.
Law enforcement officials were able to investigate the case and discovered similar details in other thefts. Using security camera footage, cops were able to identify a gray SUV that was linked to several incidents. Eventually, Romita Achitei, 61, Paul Agafitei, 43, and George Asafiei, 46 were arrested on several felony charges including grand theft, identity theft, and forgery.
Investigators suspect that there may be more victims of this scam and are urging the public to remain vigilant. The OC Sheriff’s Department emphasized the importance of raising community awareness about distraction thefts, which can occur not only at ATMs but also in other everyday situations. They advised ATM users to be cautious when using their debit cards and cash machines and to avoid engaging with strangers during transactions.
The suspects’ arrest serves as a reminder for the public to be aware of their surroundings and to protect their personal information while conducting financial transactions. It is essential to stay informed and stay safe in order to prevent falling victim to similar scams in the future.
