News Summary
In a federal court in Rhode Island, four foreign nationals pleaded guilty to their involvement in a major ATM and retail skimming scheme that affected over 15,000 financial cards. The defendants utilized skimming devices to illegally extract personal financial data across various states, leading to hundreds of thousands of dollars in unauthorized withdrawals. Sentencing for the defendants is scheduled for October 2025, as investigations continue into the broader network involved in this fraudulent operation.
Rhode Island: Four Foreign Nationals Admit Guilt in ATM and Retail Skimming Scheme
Four foreign nationals unlawfully present in the United States have pleaded guilty in a federal court in Rhode Island, following their involvement in a multi-state ATM and retail skimming scheme that impacted more than 15,000 financial cards. The scheme reportedly enabled the defendants to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars from illegal bank withdrawals and retail purchases.
The four defendants—Robby Vicson Codreanu (21, from the UK), Isabela Ignat Codreanu (24, from Romania), Armando Ion Codreanu (24, from Ireland), and Nicolas Longin Codreanu (23, from Ireland)—pleaded guilty to multiple charges, which include conspiracy to commit access device fraud and trafficking in counterfeit access devices. Both Nicolas and Armando Codreanu faced additional charges related to access devices issued to another person.
Details of the Scheme
Between May 2023 and February 2024, the defendants employed skimming devices to unlawfully extract personal financial information from unsuspecting individuals. These devices were covertly installed on point-of-sale terminals and ATMs located across various states including Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
In Rhode Island alone, the scheme resulted in more than 200 compromised debit cards at two financial institutions, leading to over $280,000 in unauthorized ATM withdrawals from 67 customer accounts. The comprehensive investigation revealed that the destructive impact of the scheme crossed state lines and involved numerous financial institutions.
Legal Proceedings and Prosecution
Sentencing for the defendants is scheduled for October 14, 2025, for Nicolas Codreanu, and for October 21, 2025, for Isabela, Armando, and Robby Codreanu. Additionally, two other individuals involved in the scheme, Ionut Zamfir (38, from Romania) and Mila Ciuciu (21, from Romania), are currently awaiting trial.
The cases against these defendants are overseen by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald R. Gendron, who is responsible for prosecuting the charges brought forth in this fraud case.
Investigation Collaboration
This extensive investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations in conjunction with various local police departments. Collaborative efforts from law enforcement extended to agents from the United States Secret Service and HSI across several locations, including Lafayette, LA, New York, NY, and Los Angeles, CA.
Conclusion
The convictions of the Codreanu family and their associates send a strong message regarding the serious nature of financial fraud schemes that exploit the vulnerabilities in electronic transactions. As law enforcement agencies continue to combat such crimes, the ramifications of these actions serve as a warning for individuals involved in similar illicit activities.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- ABC6 News
- Wikipedia: Card Skimming
- Fall River Reporter
- Google Search: ATM skimming
- The Sun Chronicle
- Google Scholar: ATM and Retail Skimming Fraud
- Turn to 10 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Credit Card Fraud
- WPRI News
- Google News: ATM Fraud
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
