Romanian Woman Indicted For Financial Fraud and Possessing ATM Skimming Devices

FORT WAYNE –Valentina Marinkovic, 18, of Romania, had a six count indictment returned against her, one count for executing a scheme to defraud a financial institution and 5 counts for possessing access device making equipment, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

According to documents in the case, on or about August 5, and continuing until on or about October 1, 2018, Marinkovic executed a scheme to defraud a federally insured financial institution.  Law enforcement has been investigating several reports of skimming devices being placed on bank and credit union ATMS as well as gas station credit card readers at gas pumps.  The device captures and stores credit and debit card numbers of unsuspecting victims.  The device is subsequently removed and the information from the skimming device is used to produce fraudulent credit/debit cards for unauthorized transactions.

In this case, a credit union was victimized having to reimburse members for losses exceeding $32,000 

The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Indiana State Police Organized Crime and Corruption Unit along with the Elkhart Police Department.  This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey Speith.

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