Authorities Tuesday served warrants in the Hollywood area and arrested five people suspected in a bank fraud scheme that employed devices used to steal information at automated teller machines.
"Three of four defendants charged in a federal criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft were taken into custody this morning without incident," said Laura Eimiller of the FBI.
The FBI identified the suspects as Cosmin Mihai Cozma, 41; Richard Ryan Mirron, 43; and Kasey Tcaciuc, 33.
Two additional suspects arrested at the location where the warrants were served, identified as Sebastian-Alin Marita and Gogu-Alin Tipurita, were expected to be charged in a criminal complaint this afternoon, Eimiller said.
Authorities did not release the name of the fourth person charged in the complaint. That individual remained outstanding and was being sought by the FBI and Torrance police, according to Eimiller.
"The continuing investigation involves allegations that the defendants took part in a credit card fraud ring that they operated, in part, by inserting 'shimming' devices in many ATMs at various banks throughout Southern California," Eimiller said, adding that the defendants were expected to appear in court today.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Torrance Police Department and personnel from the U.S. Attorney's Office were involved in the case, Eimiller said.
