Romanian crime rings exploit outdated US benefit cards to steal billions in aid

A US investigation has uncovered a network of Romanian criminals who install hidden skimmer devices on EBT terminals that still rely on magnetic-stripe technology. When beneficiaries swipe their cards and enter their PIN, the skimmer captures the data, which is later downloaded via Bluetooth and used to create duplicate cards for cash withdrawals or large purchases that are resold on the black market. The operation spans multiple states, including Ohio, California, Mississippi, Maryland, Oregon and New York, and has led to charges against more than fifty individuals with ties to Romania.

Funds obtained are funneled into high-end real-estate, luxury vehicles and cryptocurrency, some of which has been traced to a villa in Transylvania. The US Secret Service has removed hundreds of skimmers in nationwide sweeps, while the Romanian DIICOT agency assists in asset seizures. Efforts to replace magnetic-stripe cards with chip-enabled versions are underway, but full rollout will take years and cost significant sums.