Romanian national sentenced for bank fraud after HSI Los Angeles disrupts transnational criminal organization

LOS ANGELES - A criminal illegal alien from Romania was sentenced to 18 months in prison March 6 for bank fraud. Marius Catalin Trica pleaded guilty to his crimes in federal court on Nov. 24, 2025, following a Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles-led operation that disrupted a Romanian transnational criminal organization.

Trica was smuggled into the United States multiple times. He most recently attempted to get into the United States in a Mexican ambulance in June 2025.

"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.

Trica and his co-conspirators imported skimming devices and fraudulent identification documents to commit their crimes. The group installed skimmers at retailers and used cloned cards with New York victims' EBT account numbers to withdraw cash from ATMs in Los Angeles. The scheme directly targeted EBT funds, impacting vulnerable individuals who relied on these benefits for food and living expenses.

HSI Los Angeles identified numerous victims whose accounts were compromised. Trica used the stolen funds to support his lifestyle while living in the United States illegally.

"We are grateful to HSI, the NYC Department of Investigation, and our oversight partners for acting swiftly to bring this person to justice," said New York City Department of Social Services Chief Program Accountability Officer Bedros Boodanian. "Exploiting vulnerable New Yorkers for personal gain is especially harmful. The agency's accountability office flagged this individual for HSI and worked closely with the authorities to ensure a thorough investigation. DSS takes these matters incredibly seriously and continues to stay vigilant as we identify and report concerns to the appropriate authorities. We appreciate the collaboration with our government partners at the local and national level to address the ongoing skimming crisis and mitigate its devastating impact on Americans in need."

One of the more insidious methods of fraud involves the use of skimming devices, which are small electronic devices that capture card information from unsuspecting users. These devices can be discreetly attached to EBT card readers at grocery stores or ATMs, allowing fraudsters to steal users' data without their knowledge.

• 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.
• Impact on victims: 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.
• Preventive measures: 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 investigation was led by HSI Los Angeles, with support from HSI San Diego, HSI Bucharest, the Romanian Directorate for Combating Organized Crime/Galati Organized Crime Combating Brigade, the NYC Department of Investigation, the NYC Department of Social Services, the NYPD and the Beverly Hills Police Department.