Multi-state skimming ring operation: $280K stolen from Rhode Islanders

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Four foreign nationals have pleaded guilty in Providence federal court for their roles in a multi-state card skimming operation in Rhode Island. The scheme resulted in $280,000 stolen from banks and retail stores across the state.

According to federal prosecutors, the group illegally accessed over 15,000 credit, debit, and EBT cards, withdrawing more than $280,000 from 67 customer accounts at two Rhode Island banks.

The defendants — Robby Vicson Codreanu (21, UK), Isabela Ignat Codreanu (24, Romania), Armando Ion Codreanu (24, Ireland), and Nicolas Longin Codreanu (23, Ireland), admitted to placing skimming devices at ATMs in Bristol, Warren, Johnston, and Westerly, as well as retail locations in Johnston, Warwick, and Coventry.

Their conspiracy stretched from May 2023 through February 2024 and extended into Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey.

Sentencing is scheduled for October.

In June, two Romanian nationals, Marius Lupu, and Dumitru Bogdan Pancu, were sentenced for ATM skimming schemes.