Romanian nationals Gabriel Niculescu-Stoian and Alexandru Tulba charged after investigation into alleged $800K ATM skimming scheme

Two Romanian nationals have been charged over their alleged role in an $800,000 ATM skimming scheme after an AFP investigation aided by the United States Secret Service.

Two Romanian nationals have been charged over their alleged roles in a deceptive $800,000 card skimming scheme.

Two Romanian nationals will face court over their alleged roles in a deceptive $800,000 card skimming scheme which involved tampering with ATMs across Sydney and the Illawarra region.

It comes after Australian Federal Police, with the help of the United States Secret Service, began investigations in April into reports ATMs across Sydney were being tampered with.

Police will allege the two men inserted thin metal devices, known as skimmers, into the card slots of ATMs in suburbs including Chatswood, Darlinghurst and Burwood.

It will also be alleged they inserted skimmers into ATMs in the Illawarra suburbs of Warilla, Shellharbour, Fairy Meadow, Warrawong and Berkeley.

Skimmers capture the financial data stored on the magnetic strips of bank cards when they are used in ATMs. This data can then be accessed when the skimmer is retrieved.

Police will allege several ATMs from multiple banks were tampered with.

Using this process, the men allegedly cloned bank cards with the stolen data and defrauded victims of a total of more than $800,000.

It is also alleged the men obscured pinhole cameras on ATM machines to avoid detection.

On May 22, AFP executed a search warrant at a home in Chatswood and a storage facility in Homebush where officers seized multiple electronic devices and false passports.

Australian Federal Police Assistant signage at the AFP Headquarters in Sydney Australia. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

AFP also seized a large quantity of skimmers and cash suspected to be the proceeds of crime.

A skimmer was also retrieved from an ATM and is being analysed for fingerprints.

Officers arrested Gabriel Niculescu-Stoian, 48, and Alexandru Tulba, 41, shortly after the raid.

They are both charged with one count each of dealing in money worth $100,000 or more believed to be proceeds of crime, and possessing or controlling a thing with intent to dishonestly obtain or deal in personal financial information.

Multiple banks alerted the AFP about ATM machines being tampered with. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

Niculescu-Stoian was also charged with importing a thing with intent to dishonestly obtain or deal in personal financial information.

Tulbawas additionally charged with one count each of possessing a false foreign travel document, and submitting false or misleading information to a reporting entity.

On Friday, their matters were briefly mentioned at Hornsby Local Court where the pair did not apply for bail.

They are yet to enter pleas on their charges and will remain behind bars until their next court appearance.

Their matters were adjourned to the Downing Centre to appear via audio visual link on July 23.

AFP Detective Superintendent Marie Andersson said criminals employed various tactics to dupe victims and their only motivation was to fill their own pockets.

“These brazen schemes hurt hardworking Australians who are already feeling the financial pinch,” Det Supt Andersson said.

“If you notice unauthorised transactions in your bank accounts, please notify your bank and block the account.

“A message to potential criminals – your actions can always be traced, and the AFP will not hesitate to apprehend and prosecute you.”