Romanian Man Sentenced for EBT Skimming Fraud After ICE Arrest
A man smuggled into the US inside a Mexican ambulance was just sentenced to 18 months in prison for stealing food assistance benefits from some of New York's most vulnerable residents. Marius Catalin Trica and his criminal network used hidden electronic devices to drain EBT accounts — leaving families without money for food. The case reveals how transnational crime networks target immigrants and low-income communities across the country.
Romanian Man Sentenced for Stealing EBT Benefits From Vulnerable Americans
Marius Catalin Trica, a Romanian national living in the United States illegally, was sentenced to 18 months in prison on March 6, 2026. He pleaded guilty to bank fraud in federal court on November 24, 2025. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) — the criminal investigation arm of the Department of Homeland Security — led the operation that brought him down.
Trica was smuggled into the United States multiple times. His most recent attempt was in June 2025, when he tried to cross the border hidden inside a Mexican ambulance. He was part of a Romanian transnational criminal organization — a criminal network that operates across multiple countries.
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How the Skimming Scheme Worked
Trica and his co-conspirators imported skimming devices — small electronic tools that secretly steal card data — and fake ID documents. They attached these devices to card readers at retail stores. When EBT cardholders (people who receive government food assistance, also called SNAP benefits) swiped their cards, the device captured their card number and other sensitive data. The group then used that stolen data to create fake cards and withdraw cash from ATMs in Los Angeles, using account numbers belonging to victims in New York. The stolen money funded Trica's lifestyle while he lived in the US illegally.
The New York City Department of Social Services flagged Trica's activity and worked closely with HSI, the NYC Department of Investigation, the NYPD, and the Beverly Hills Police Department. HSI also received support from its offices in San Diego and Bucharest, as well as Romanian law enforcement agencies. Officials say the case is part of a broader effort to fight an ongoing skimming crisis that harms Americans who depend on food assistance to survive.
What to Do If You Think Your EBT Card Was Compromised
- Check your EBT account balance regularly — if money is missing that you did not spend, report it immediately to your state's EBT customer service line.
- Before swiping your card at any reader, look for anything unusual attached to the machine — loose parts, extra devices, or anything that looks out of place.
- Report suspicious card readers to the store manager and to local police right away.
- If you are an immigrant and you are a victim of a crime like this, lawyers recommend speaking with an immigration attorney — crime victims may have specific protections or visa options available to them, such as a U visa (a visa for victims of certain crimes who help law enforcement).
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Immigrant crime victims often don't know they have legal protections. If you were a victim of fraud or theft and you helped law enforcement — even informally — you may be eligible to apply for a U visa, which can lead to work authorization and eventually a green card. Do not assume that being undocumented disqualifies you from these protections. Consult an immigration attorney before making any statements to authorities, so you understand your rights and how to protect your immigration status at the same time.