PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A man involved in a large-scale ATM skimming operation that targeted customers across Rhode Island and the East Coast has been sentenced to prison and will be deported after serving his time.
Marius Lupu, 30, who initially identified himself as “Mario DeMarco,” was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Providence to 33 months in federal prison. Authorities say Lupu is a Romanian national who was in the United States illegally.
Lupu was one of two men accused of installing skimming devices on ATMs in Warwick, East Greenwich, and North Kingstown, among other locations. Federal investigators believe the operation may have compromised debit cards from over 950 customers, with at least $16,500 stolen from victims’ accounts.
According to prosecutors, the stolen card data was transferred onto blank cards and used to withdraw cash. The skimming activity is believed to have spanned multiple states along the East Coast over a two-year period.
Federal prosecutors argued for a longer sentence, noting the emotional and financial stress victims experienced from having their bank accounts compromised. While banks ultimately reimbursed the customers, Lupu has been ordered to repay the losses to the banks.
He will be deported to Romania after completing his prison sentence. The second suspect in the case is expected to be sentenced next week.
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