Two Romanian nationals unlawfully present in the United States have been sentenced to federal prison after carrying out a credit card skimming scheme targeting retail locations across Alabama and Mississippi, federal officials announced Thursday.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama, the scheme involved installing electronic “skimmer” devices on grocery store point-of-sale terminals to steal customer card information.
Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson said 24-year-old Denis Adelin Ionescu was sentenced to 46 months in prison, while 33-year-old Ioan Victor Stanciu received a 24-month sentence. Ionescu pleaded guilty to possession of device-making equipment, and Stanciu pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit access device fraud. There is no parole in the federal system.
Court records show the investigation began in March 2025 after a skimming device was discovered at a grocery store in Ozark. Law enforcement identified the two men and additional co-conspirators as part of a broader operation targeting multiple locations.
Authorities said the group installed devices designed to capture credit, debit, and Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card information. The stolen data was later used to carry out unauthorized purchases and withdrawals.
Investigators linked the scheme to retail locations across Alabama, including Dothan, Alexander City, Eufaula, Bessemer, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden, Mobile, and Talladega, as well as Gulfport, Mississippi. In total, 23 skimming devices were placed at 12 separate locations.
Federal officials estimated the intended financial loss at nearly $1.8 million, while confirmed fraudulent transactions totaled $50,978.36. The court ordered restitution in that amount.
A third co-conspirator, Marian Catalin Matei, has pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 21.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service along with the Bessemer Police Department and the Ozark Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Feil prosecuted the case.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
