A criminal illegal alien has been sentenced to 18 months in prison amid a crackdown on a transnational criminal organization based in Romania.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) just released details about the operation, which led to the conviction of Marius Catalin Trica, a Romanian national who was smuggled into the U.S. on several occasions.
In June 2025, Trica falsified facial injuries during an incident that led to him being transported across the southern border in an ambulance from Mexico.
Trica was arrested and later pleaded guilty to bank fraud in November 2025.
Trica and fellow scammers imported skimming devices and fraudulent identification documents which they used to rip off EBT recipients in New York by withdrawing cash from ATMs in the Los Angeles area.
“Our HSI special agents are committed to not only bring criminals like this to justice, but to ensure our most vulnerable citizens are protected from the global reach of fraud,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement shared these details on how skimming works:
When a user swipes their EBT card through a compromised reader, the skimming device captures the card’s magnetic stripe data, including the card number and other sensitive information. This data can then be used to create counterfeit cards or sold on the black market.
Victims of skimming may find their benefits drained or misused, leading to significant financial hardship. The emotional toll can also be considerable, as individuals who rely on SNAP for their daily sustenance may suddenly find themselves without necessary resources.
To combat skimming, it is essential for users to be vigilant. They should inspect card readers for any unusual attachments or signs of tampering before using them. Additionally, reporting suspicious activity to local authorities can help in the fight against this type of fraud.
The Department of Justice announced launched the National Fraud Enforcement Division on April 7, 2026.
“The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President JD Vance to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse within federal benefit programs,” HSI stated.
One Response
How the fuck is the USA that much better than Romania that he’d go to all this??? That’s a Western European country. The ONLY reason people are flocking to America is to run away from their past offences and to collect all the free shit the Liberals keep giving them. Get rid of the free shit and hold people accountable for what they did before they were in America and this would end overnight