Romanian nationals sentenced in card-skimming scheme that hit Mobile, other Alabama cities Romanian nationals sentenced in card-skimming scheme that hit Mobile, other Alabama cities ) - Two Romanian nationals in the U.S. illegally have been sentenced to federal prison for a credit card “skimming” scheme that targeted grocery store checkout terminals across Alabama and Mississippi, including Mobile, according to the U. S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama. Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson said a federal judge on March 26, 2026 sentenced Denis Adelin Ionescu, 24, to 46 months in prison and Ioan Victor Stanciu, 33, to 24 months. Ionescu pleaded guilty to possession of device-making equipment; Stanciu pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit access device fraud. Federal sentences do not include parole. Court records say the investigation began in March 2025 after a skimming device was found on a point-of-sale terminal at a grocery store in Ozark, Alabama. Investigators later tied the pair and others to skimmers placed at stores in Mobile and multiple other Alabama cities, including Dothan, Alexander City, Eufaula, Bessemer, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden, and Talladega, as well as Gulfport, Mississippi. A skimmer is designed to capture card data—such as from credit, debit, or EBT cards—when customers swipe or insert them. Prosecutors said conspirators later retrieved the devices, extracted the stolen account information, and used it to carry out fraudulent withdrawals and purchases. Authorities said the group placed 23 skimming devices at 12 locations. The intended loss was calculated at $1,794,978.36, and known fraudulent transactions totaled $50,978.36. The judge ordered restitution for that amount. A third defendant, Marian Catalin Matei, 24, has pleaded guilty to possession of device-making equipment and is scheduled for sentencing on May 21, 2026. The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, Bessemer Police Department, and Ozark Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Feil.Milton woman arrested on felony charges including child pornography, sexual contact with animalParents mourn loss of unborn baby after Pensacola crashSemmes man pleads guilty to rape chargesTwo men sentenced to 30 years for shooting at law enforcement in separate Florida cases