(WJAR) — Stefano Garioli, 40, was sentenced Thursday in federal court in Providence to 27 months in prison for his role in a large-scale ATM skimming scheme along the east coast.
Garioli, whose real name is Dumitru Bogdan Pancu, is in the U.S. illegally from Romania. After completing his prison sentence, he will face deportation proceedings.
Authorities say Garioli and another suspect planted skimming devices on ATMs in Warwick, North Kingstown, and East Greenwich, Rhode Island. They are believed to be linked to many more ATMs targeted throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and other east coast states over a two-year period beginning in 2022.
The scheme, first reported by NBC 10 in November, involved the suspects using the skimmers to capture debit card information from customers. The stolen data was then transferred to other cards to fraudulently withdraw cash and make purchases.
More than $16,500 was stolen from customers, although prosecutors say the suspects attempted to steal much more. Over 950 customers’ cards were compromised in the scam.
Banks reimbursed the affected customers, and the suspects are now ordered to repay the stolen funds.
The other suspect, known as Mario DeMarco and believed to be Marius Lupu from Romania, was sentenced last week to 33 months in prison. Like Garioli, he is also in the U.S. illegally and has agreed to deportation after serving his sentence.
