Credit card skimming scam targets ATMs in Phoenix and Scottsdale, three people arrested

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Scottsdale police are searching for a fourth suspect accused of committing fraud using illegal ATM skimmers throughout the valley.

Last month, investigators found the devices in ATMs in Scottsdale and Phoenix, leading to the arrests of three men from Romania.

It was the result of a months-long investigation that began Aug. 30 when someone called 911 to report their card being used at an ATM, but the card was never lost or physically stolen.

Fernando Emanual Cojocaru, Robert Mario Oletanu and Filon Petrican are charged with six crimes, including fraud. The three men appeared in court for the first time since their arrest Scottsdale Police.

According to Scottsdale police, Oletanu and Cojocaru placed skimmers in ATM card readers at numerous ATMs at Circle K's, Quik Trips, 7-11, Walgreens, CVS, Bank of America and a U.S. Bank ATM.

“The skimmer allows the consumer to make a purchase. But at the same time, the skimmers working in the background are scanning credit card information so they can come back later, remove the skimmer, and then use the stolen credit card numbers to make their own purchases,” said Burton Kelso, a cybersecurity expert.

Filon Petrican was arrested during a search warrant at his brother's home in Phoenix.

According to police records, a newly encoded gift card was found in Petrican's room. Police believe his brother Eduard Ichim fled before police issued the search warrant.

“Criminals are unfortunately quite creative, so they take the data and write it on a magnetic strip of any kind. Many of them use gift cards because there is no name on the gift cards. They can't be traced.” “It's easier for the criminal to take advantage of that and say maybe the gift card is no longer available,” said Tim Roemer, chief security officer of Global Market Innovators.

The first suspect identified in this investigation was Eduard Ichim, who was seen on surveillance video at Capital One in Scottsdale Fashion Square with money while inserting several cards into the ATM.

“What's scary though is that in most cases you think you can go to the local bank ATM and use it without getting scammed, but that just shows how clever criminals are getting,” Kelso said.

Capital One then told police they discovered six additional incidents in which Eduard and another person used one or more cards at the bank.

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Cybersecurity experts reveal how you can stay safe when using your credit card at an ATM or gas pump.

“The use of chips, particularly tap-to-pay, where you don't have to insert your credit card, brings an additional level of security benefits for all consumers,” Roemer said.

Anyone with information about Eduard Ichim is asked to contact Scottsdale Police at 480-312-TIPS.

The three other suspects remain in jail awaiting trial.