4th Suspect Pleads Guilty to ATM Skimming Scheme

A fourth suspect has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud stemming from his participation in an ATM “skimming” scheme that involved banks in Cos Cob, Stamford and Darien.

United States Attorney David B. Fein announced Friday that Ion Constantine, also known as “Tarzan,” 34, a citizen of Romania last residing in Glendale, NY, pleaded guilty Friday before United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport. He faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Constantine, his wife conspired to install “skimming” devices on automated teller machines (ATMs), and on card swipe access devices used by banks to control access to ATM lobby doors, at People’s United Bank locations in Cos Cob, Stamford and Darien.

The devices were able to capture the information encoded on the magnetic strips of bank cards used by ATM customers. The co-conspirators also placed devices on the ATMs that contained hidden pinhole cameras, which were positioned in such a way as to be able to record the personal identification numbers that bank customers keyed into the ATMs to gain access to their accounts. The suspects then used this stolen information to create counterfeit bank cards that allowed them to withdraw funds from the customers’ accounts.  

In March and April 2010, Stiuca and Pasici, at Constantine ’s direction, used a pin-capturing device at an ATM located at a branch of People’s United Bank in Cos Cob. Then, between April 19 and April 22, Stiuca and Matache used stolen bank account information to conduct unauthorized ATM withdrawals from People’s United Bank ATMs in Stamford and Darien.  

On April 22, 2010, Stiuca, Pasici and Matache were arrested by members of the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force at a branch of People’s United Bank in Darien. The defendants had approximately $2000 in cash, handwritten notes with addresses of People’s United Bank locations, ATM skimming tools and other items used in the conspiracy.

Constantine, who been in federal custody since his March 23, 2011 arrest, is to be sentenced Oct. 31 by United States District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant.

Stiuca, Pasici and Matche also have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. 

The investigation was conducted by the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, which includes members of the United States Secret Service; the United States Postal Inspection Service; the United States Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security; the Connecticut State Police; and the Glastonbury, Greenwich, Hartford, New Haven and Shelton Police departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Douglas P. Morabito and Susan L. Wines.