Romanian national busted in $1.5M ATM 'skimming' spree

By BRUCE GOLDING
Last Updated: 12:35 PM, January 6, 2012
Posted: 12:34 PM, January 6, 2012

An illegal alien from Romania was caught in the act yesterday while adjusting high-tech hardware that helped a gang of crooks swipe about $1.5 million from dozens of automated teller machines, according to the feds.

Laurentiu Iulian Bulat was busted at an HSBC branch on the Upper East Side after he was spotted on surveillance video installing illegal "skimming" devices on two ATMs.

Bank personnel notified the Secret Service, which sent agents to stake out the vestibule at 68th Street and Third Avenue, and Bulat was nabbed when he returned to tinker with the gear, court papers say.

When caught, Bulat was allegedly in possession of a flat-head screwdriver, which authorities say "is typically used to place and remove the skimming devices."

Thieves employ the electronic equipment -- which consists of hidden card readers and tiny "pin-hole" cameras -- to secretly record customers' personal information and passcodes so they can later hack into the accounts and make unauthorized withdrawals.

According to the feds, Bulat -- who's in the United States on an expired visa -- served as the "installer" for a ring of criminals that's targeted at least 40 HSBC ATMs in Manhattan, Westchester and Long Island.

Authorities began investigating the gang last May, and Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said the probe was "very much ongoing."

"ATM skimmers are high-tech bank robbers," Bharara said.

"Instead of using a gun and a note, skimmers use fake card readers and hidden cameras to steal a customer's information to get to that customer's money and take it."

Bulat, who's being held without bail, was charged with conspiracy and bank fraud, and faces 60 years in the slammer if convicted.

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