San Diego City Wire

Andrei Bogdan Arteni of Romania appeared in federal court in Los Angeles today to face charges in the Southern District of California for allegedly conspiring to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in public-assistance benefits from low-income families. He was ordered detained and will appear in federal court in San Diego for his next hearing.

Arteni was arrested in Santa Ana yesterday, with the thefts resulting in losses exceeding $580,000. According to the complaint, between October 2023 and March 2024, he and co-conspirators installed skimming devices at point-of-sale terminals in grocery stores and large-volume retailers. The data skimmed from government-issued benefit cards, known as EBT (electronic benefit transfer) cards, was re-encoded onto fraudulent cards used for unauthorized ATM withdrawals over several months.

Authorities served court-authorized search warrants at two storage units in National City and Newport Beach, while Romanian authorities executed warrants on ten residences across Romania. U.S. federal authorities seized more than $550,000 in cash, jewelry, and skimming devices. Romanian authorities confiscated two properties along with more than $190,000 and €200,000 cash.

“Stealing public assistance funds from those who need it most takes greed to a new depth,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “With this case, we are enforcing laws designed to protect the security of electronic payment devices and ensure public confidence in everyday transactions.”

“EBT fraud is especially devastating as it targets our most vulnerable community members and can cause extreme financial hardship,” said Jason Reynolds, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s San Diego Field Office. “The U.S. Secret Service and our partners remain committed to investigating these crimes so that those receiving these benefits do not have to worry about their benefits being stolen.”

“Homeland Security Investigations is dedicated to working with our foreign law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle trans-national fraud groups who victimize U.S. banking institutions and government programs for their financial benefit,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang.

According to court documents, Arteni and his co-conspirators used false identities to rent an Airbnb and storage units where they concealed cash inside household appliances—some of which were shipped to Romania.

Surveillance photos linked the suspects to fraudulent withdrawals at ATMs throughout Southern California, including San Diego, Los Angeles, and Riverside.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ronald Sou and David Kete with assistance from various agencies including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, National City Police Department, and Romanian authorities.

If you or someone you know has had EBT benefits stolen, report the theft within 10 days through San Diego County’s Department of Health & Human Services Agency website: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/ssp/ebt_fraud.html.

DEFENDANT                                   Case Number 24MJ1934                                         

Andrei Bogdan Arteni                        35                    Santa Ana

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Title 18, U.S.C. §§1029(a)(2), (b)(1), and (c)(1)(A)(i) – Use and Attempted Use of Unauthorized Access Devices

Maximum Penalty: Ten years in prison, $250,000 fine

Title 18, U.S.C. §1029(a)(2), (b)(2), and (c)(1)(A)(i) – Access Device Conspiracy

Maximum Penalty: Ten years in prison, $250,000 fine

Title 18,U.S.C.§§982(a)(2)(B)and1029(c)(1)(C)–Criminal Forfeiture

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Homeland Security Investigations

United States Secret Service

*The charges contained are merely accusations; defendants are considered innocent unless proven guilty.*