Queens Woman Admits Role in ATM “Skimming” Scheme

A Queens, NY woman has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, stemming from her participation in an ATM “skimming” scheme, according to the US Attorney's office.

Sabrina Matache, 22, of Middle Village, NY, pleaded guilty Monday before United States District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford. Bryant scheduled sentencing for June 15. Matache faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in jail and a $1 million fine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Matache and others, 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 in Stamford, Cos Cob 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 co-conspirators then used this stolen information to create counterfeit bank cards that allowed them to withdraw funds from the customers’ accounts, according to a statement released by US Attorney David Fein's office.

On several occasions in March and April 2010, Matache and a co-conspirator 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, Matache and the co-conspirator used stolen bank account information to conduct unauthorized ATM withdrawals from People’s United Bank ATMs in Stamford and Darien.

Matache and two co-defendants were arrested by members of the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force on April 22, 2010, at a branch of People’s United Bank in Darien. At the time of the arrests, Matache and others possessed approximately $2,000 in cash, handwritten notes with addresses of People’s United Bank locations, ATM skimming tools and other items used in the conspiracy.

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.