Romanian nationals are orchestrating widespread fraud schemes targeting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, by stealing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card data from beneficiaries. These criminals, often residing unlawfully in the US, use skimming devices installed at ATMs, fuel pumps, and retail point-of-sale terminals to capture EBT card numbers and PINs. The stolen information is then loaded onto counterfeit cards, which are used to purchase bulk items like coffee, candy, energy drinks, and baby formula from large warehouse clubs. These products are subsequently resold for profit, depriving legitimate SNAP recipients of their essential benefits.
Recent cases highlight the scale of the problem. In one instance, two Romanian brothers, Marian Ovidiu Dumitru and Catalin Dumitru, pleaded guilty to wire fraud after defrauding SNAP programs in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and other states of over $760,000 between July 2024 and August 2025. They used counterfeit cards to purchase more than $15,000 worth of goods from a warehouse club in Gastonia, North Carolina, and over $19,000 from another in Pineville, North Carolina. They face up to 20 years in prison. Similarly, Aramis Manolea and Cristina Manolea pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States for stealing nearly $27,000 in SNAP benefits from April to November 2025, primarily through the fraudulent purchase of infant formula for resale.
These crime rings operate in an itinerant manner, moving from city to city across states like Oregon, Washington, California, North Carolina, and New Jersey. They have been linked to instances where hundreds of people were victimized, with individual losses often representing a significant portion of a family's monthly nutrition benefits. Law enforcement agencies in Southern California, for example, have tied large EBT skimming schemes to Romanian organized crime networks, leading to operations like "Operation EBT Integrity" in Orange County which resulted in 48 arrests and the seizure of $470,000 in stolen benefits and $185,000 in cash. The criminals often deposit cash in amounts just under the $10,000 reporting threshold and fund lavish lifestyles including Airbnbs, luxury hotels, and rental cars booked under fake names.
The Department of Justice and the IRS have emphasized their commitment to combating this fraud, which preys on vulnerable citizens and exploits taxpayer-funded programs. Prosecutors like U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson have highlighted the significant impact on victims, stating that stolen benefits can amount to "a paycheck" for those who rely on them for nutrition. The sophisticated nature of these operations, involving device-making equipment and careful logistical planning for the shipment and resale of stolen goods, underscores the challenge faced by authorities in curbing these crimes.
