HOUSTON, TX — A major fraud operation tied to a Romanian organized crime network has led to the arrest of five individuals, with law enforcement uncovering multiple criminal activities such as ATM skimming, vehicle theft, and the production of fraudulent documents. The arrests were made after several agencies collaborated to tackle this sophisticated crime scheme operating in the U.S.
Among those arrested were Elizabeta Stefan and Madalin Trifu, both charged with forgery with intent to defraud. Three other suspects—Vasile Trifu, Ion Trifu, and Catalin Trifu—were also taken into custody. Vasile Trifu faces ATM skimming charges, while Ion and Catalin Trifu were detained by Homeland Security Investigations.
The group is accused of participating in a range of illegal activities, including vehicle theft, ATM skimming, organized retail theft, and identity fraud. Authorities also believe the suspects were involved in financial exploitation schemes and other forms of financial crime.
A search warrant executed at a Houston residence on Tuesday revealed numerous fraudulent passports and fake identification cards, which were allegedly intended for criminal use. Court documents indicate that Stefan and Madalin Trifu had purchased fake Romanian passports, and Madalin Trifu was also found to possess a fake Washington state driver’s license during a previous arrest in February.
The arrest operation was initiated after a tip-off that a package containing fake passports would be delivered to the home. Houston police assisted in executing the search warrant as part of the investigation.
The Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center emphasized that financial crimes are an evolving threat to both consumers and businesses, citing how criminals use tactics like fraudulent documents, payment card skimming, and social engineering to deceive victims and bypass security measures. The center highlighted the importance of interagency collaboration in combating these illicit activities.
