Romanian national sentenced for role in ATM skimming device conspiracy in Rhode Island, Mass.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Romanian national illegally present in the United States has been sentenced for his role in an ATM skimming device conspiracy that has spanned multiple east coast states, according to the office of Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Dumitru Bogdan Pancu, 40, will serve 27 months in federal prison stemming from his December 11, 2024 conviction on one charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. 

He will face deportation proceedings after his prison term is complete and is ordered to pay restitution to victims in the amount of $16,562.

Pancu admitted to installing skimming devices on ATMs in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey between May of 2022 and July of 2024.

These devices allowed Pancu to steal the banking information of customers throughout these states.

Pancu and his co-conspirators then used the stolen information to create hundreds of counterfeit debit cards used to make cash withdrawals, attempted withdrawals and retail purchases, according to Bloom’s office.

Police from Warwick, Cranston and multiple other Rhode Island communities assisted Homeland Security Investigations in the case.