Three men were arrested in Northridge on April 10, 2025, for their alleged involvement in a large-scale EBT fraud case. One of the suspects, 34-year-old Norbert Karaba, had already been arrested for a similar offense in Kern County just months earlier.
Investigators from multiple agencies, including the Kern County and Los Angeles District Attorney’s Offices, served a search warrant at a home on the 8300 block of White Oak Avenue. The investigation was part of an ongoing probe into widespread Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card fraud in Kern County.
During the search, authorities reportedly found equipment used for skimming card information, such as pinhole cameras and card readers. They also seized cloned EBT cards and more than $40,000 in cash.
Karaba, along with 51-year-old Nicolae Bud and 29-year-old Giorgio Marcelo, was arrested and booked into the Kern County Jail on multiple charges, including fraud and conspiracy.
Karaba was already facing charges from a December 2024 arrest, where he was caught withdrawing cash using cloned EBT cards. At the time, investigators seized 78 fake cards and nearly $64,000 in cash. He had been out on $200,000 bail when the latest arrest occurred.
Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer issued a strong warning to anyone abusing the EBT system, saying her office is ramping up efforts to tackle this type of fraud.
To protect benefits, local officials advise the public to report stolen EBT cards immediately, use the ebtEDGE mobile app, and change PIN numbers often.
