Sorin-Miguel Ghiorghe Admits Role in Fraudulent Card Scheme
Sorin-Miguel Ghiorghe, a 46-year-old Romanian national residing in Los Angeles’ Fairfax District, has pleaded guilty to charges linked to an ATM skimming operation that targeted California’s public assistance programs. Ghiorghe admitted to using skimming devices on ATMs to collect data from unsuspecting cardholders, which was later used to produce counterfeit debit cards for fraudulent transactions.
Scheme Targeted Low-Income Californians
The Department of Justice reported that Ghiorghe and his associates focused on low-income residents receiving government benefits. Victims included Social Security and food stamp recipients, with funds stolen from Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) accounts. When authorities searched Ghiorghe’s residence, they found ATM-skimming equipment and records of EBT account numbers under other individuals’ names.
Facing Severe Penalties
Ghiorghe, who also faces allegations of entering the country illegally, pleaded guilty to multiple counts, including bank fraud, conspiracy, and identity theft. His sentencing is scheduled for January 6, 2025, with potential penalties of up to 30 years for each count of bank fraud and 10 years for device-related charges. A two-year mandatory sentence applies for aggravated identity theft.
Investigations Reveal Broader Criminal Network
The case, investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and supported by the Los Angeles Police Department, highlights a growing trend of organized Romanian crime in Southern California. In January, 48 individuals were arrested in California and Romania for similar operations that siphoned funds from government programs, linking some suspects to a major crime syndicate based in Cancun, Mexico.
