HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - A federal grand jury today indicted six people on fraud charges, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples, and United States Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Patrick Davis.
A 10-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Ionut Iamandita, 28, Milena Iamandita, 25, Elena Matei, 18, Florin Matei, 27, Larisa Iordache, 28, and Marius Iordache, 29, with conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Ionut Iamandita, Milena Iamandita, Elena Matei, Florin Matei, and Larisa Iordache were also charged with aggravated identity theft.
According to the indictment, from February 2023 to June 2023, the defendants participated in a conspiracy that used skimming devices and covert video cameras to steal Listerhill Credit Union and Avadian Credit Union customers’ account information. Conspirators then withdrew funds from ATMs using stolen account information.
The maximum penalty for conspiracy to commit bank fraud is 30 years in prison. Aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison.
The FBI and United States Secret Service investigated the case with assistance from the Lauderdale County’s Sherriff’s Office, Tuscaloosa County Sherriff’s Office, Hoover Police Department, and Vestavia Hills Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John M. Hundscheid is prosecuting the case.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys