3 people sentenced in organized credit card skimming ring

The Dallas County District Attorney has announced 'lengthy prison terms' for three people charged in connection with an organized credit card skimming ring they have been investigating for months.

The Dallas County District Attorney has announced 'lengthy sentences' for three people charged in connection with an organized credit card skimming ring they have been investigating for months. The DA's office said they targeted hundreds of unsuspecting shoppers across North Texas.

"Following an investigation by the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (TX FCIC), the Dallas County Criminal District Attorney's Office successfully prosecuted the case, securing significant prison sentences for the defendants, who stole the financial information of at least 783 victims," the DA's office reported in a press release July 6.

Gheorge-Ciprian Hilitanu, Victor Tecu and Ionut Firan-Alexandrau each pleaded guilty to multiple felonies stemming from the financial fraud scheme targeting customers at CVS and Walgreens stores across North Texas during July 2025. The Dallas County DA's office said they installed the devices on payment terminals.

According to the District Attorney, they then created counterfeit cards or made unauthorized purchases with the victim's financial information.

"Financial crimes like these affect everyday people who are simply going about their lives," Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot said. "The defendants in this case operated a sophisticated criminal enterprise that victimized hundreds of people across North Texas. These significant prison sentences reflect the serious harm caused by organized financial crime and demonstrate our commitment to holding those who exploit hardworking Texans fully accountable."

Investigators said after their initial arrest, they searched an Airbnb where the group was staying. There they found More than 150 skimming devices. 237 re-encoded gift cards containing stolen account information. 25 fake international I.D. cards and passports with multiple identities. They also had equipment used to manufacture counterfeit payment cards.

On June 25, 2026, Hilitanu entered a guilty plea, to which he was sentenced to 30 years in prison for engaging in organized criminal activity and fraudulent possession or use of a credit or debit card. Along with 20 years in prison for tampering with a governmental record and unlawful use of a wire or electronic communication. On June 29, 2026, Tecu and Firan-Alexandrau each pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 20 years in prison on all cases.

The DA's office also said this case is a reminder to always inspect card readers before using them, cover the keypad when entering your PIN, and monitor your bank accounts for suspicious activity.