Skip to content

Four Romanian nationals indicted for using the identity of another to obtain “skimmer” equipment

St. Louis, MO – Four Romanian nationals from Glendale, Arizona, were indicted for conspiring to commit bank fraud by using counterfeit credit and debit cards to make automated teller machine withdrawals, and to obtain the shipment of device-making equipment through U.S. Postal Service through the use of the identity of others.

On February 13, 2019, officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department discovered a package that was being mailed to a UPS store in Richmond Heights, Missouri.

After obtaining a search warrant for the package they discovered that it contained two point-of-sale terminals with skimming devices attached.

The point of sale terminals were of the type used by retail establishments when customers desire to pay with their credit and debit cards.

Through use of the attached skimming devices, individuals are able to harvest the account information of the stores’ customers, and produce counterfeit cards embedded with the stolen information.

Stefan Unguru and wife, Gina Unguru, were arrested as they tried to retrieve the package from the UPS Store personnel.

They also sought to pick up another package mailed to Stefan Unguru.  That package contained an additional nine point-of-sale terminals.

A subsequent investigation by agents of the United States Secret Service and detectives of the St. Louis County Police Department revealed that between March 24, 2018 and March 26, 2018, Stefan Unguru, Banta Unguru, and Marcu Unguru used counterfeit cards embedded with the account information of more than nine people to make automated teller machine withdrawals in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.

Stefan Unguru, 47, was indicted on conspiracy to commit bank fraud; bank fraud; access device fraud; possession of device-making equipment; and, aggravated identity theft;

Gina Unguru, 46, was indicted on conspiracy to commit bank fraud; possession of device-making equipment; and, aggravated identity theft;

Banta Unguru, 27, was indicted on conspiracy to commit bank fraud; bank fraud; access device fraud; and aggravated identity theft; and

Marcu Unguru, 19, was indicted on conspiracy to commit bank fraud; bank fraud; and aggravated identity theft.

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ role in the offenses and the characteristics of the violations.

In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum of: 30 years for the offenses of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud; 15 years for the crime of possession of device-making equipment; and, 10 years for the crime of access device fraud.

The crime of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory term of incarceration of two years for each count of conviction.

As is always the case, charges set forth in the indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and the St. Louis County Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Berry is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

URMĂREȘTE-NE pe FACEBOOK, X sau GOOGLE NEWS!