FBI Seeks Ilie-Sebastian-Laur Vasilescu in $220,000 EBT Skimming Scheme
More Than 300 Victims Targeted in California Benefits Fraud Investigation
Ilie-Sebastian-Laur Vasilescu is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on federal charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with an electronic benefits transfer fraud scheme targeting hundreds of government assistance recipients in California. A federal arrest warrant was issued for Vasilescu on April 19, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California in Santa Ana. The FBI currently lists him among its wanted white-collar crime fugitives and states that he was last seen in Southern California.
Federal authorities say Vasilescu worked with Birdal Osman, Silviu-Florin Spiridon, Bogdan Adrian Purgariu, and other individuals as part of a scheme targeting electronic benefits transfer, or EBT, cards. EBT cards function similarly to debit cards and allow recipients of government benefit programs to electronically access funds intended for necessities and other qualifying expenses. During the operation, the group targeted point-of-sale terminals in California to obtain card information belonging to benefits recipients.
How the Skimming Operation Worked
According to the FBI, Vasilescu and the other subjects made and installed electronic skimming devices capable of recording, storing, or transmitting information from cards used at compromised terminals. Some of these devices were small enough to be concealed inside standalone point-of-sale terminals, including equipment such as ATMs and gas station payment terminals, keeping them out of sight of customers. When a victim swiped a card, the concealed equipment could intercept the information stored on it without the victim realizing the terminal had been compromised.
Capturing the card information was only part of the operation. The FBI says very small cameras were also attached to point-of-sale terminals and positioned to record customers entering their PIN numbers. Combining the captured card data with a victim's PIN provided the information necessary to access an account and conduct transactions without the cardholder's knowledge or authorization.
The information collected by the skimming equipment could be recovered directly from the device or transmitted for later use. According to federal authorities, the stolen information could then be used by itself or together with another access device to make charges or withdraw funds from a victim's account. Because victims retained possession of their physical EBT cards, they could remain unaware that their information had been compromised until unauthorized transactions occurred or they discovered that benefits were missing.
More Than 300 Victims and $220,000 in Requested Funds
The FBI states that Vasilescu and the other subjects requested disbursements totaling more than $220,000 from more than 300 victims' EBT accounts during the scheme. The victims were recipients of government assistance, meaning the operation directly targeted funds intended to support individuals and families receiving federal benefits. The number of compromised accounts demonstrates the scale of the operation and the ability of electronic skimming equipment to affect large numbers of victims without requiring criminals to physically steal their cards.
Unlike a conventional theft in which a victim immediately discovers that cash or property is missing, card skimming can remain hidden. A compromised card may continue functioning normally while criminals possess a copy of its information and the PIN required to access the account. For recipients who depend on EBT funds for essential expenses, discovering that money has been removed from an account can have an immediate and significant impact.
Multiple Men Sought in Connection With the Scheme
Vasilescu was one of several individuals identified by federal authorities in connection with the operation. The FBI also sought Birdal Osman, Silviu-Florin Spiridon, Bogdan Adrian Purgariu, and an individual who used the name "Walerian Grabowski." The FBI connected the men to the same broader operation involving skimming equipment and the theft of information belonging to government benefits recipients.
Federal authorities also identified Ionut Dragos Munteanu, also known as "Nicolay Kalinowski," and Claudiu Mezinu as defendants connected with the investigation. Both had been arrested by the time the FBI publicly announced its search for the remaining fugitives in July 2023. The arrests and outstanding warrants demonstrate that the investigation extended beyond a single individual and involved a broader group suspected of participating in the benefits fraud operation.
Vasilescu is also known by the alias "Fabian Majewski." The use of alternate identities was not unique to Vasilescu within the group, as the FBI has identified aliases associated with several other individuals connected to the investigation. These alternate identities are included in federal wanted records to assist law-enforcement agencies and members of the public in identifying the fugitives.
Federal Arrest Warrant Issued
On April 19, 2023, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Ilie-Sebastian-Laur Vasilescu in the United States District Court for the Central District of California in Santa Ana. He was charged with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with the EBT skimming investigation. Vasilescu subsequently became the subject of an FBI wanted notice and remains sought by federal authorities.
Bank fraud and aggravated identity theft are serious federal offenses, particularly when an investigation involves the unauthorized acquisition and use of financial information belonging to hundreds of victims. In Vasilescu's case, federal authorities have connected the charges to a scheme involving more than 300 EBT accounts and requests for more than $220,000 in benefits funds. The FBI's Los Angeles Field Office is responsible for the wanted notice.
Who Is Ilie-Sebastian-Laur Vasilescu?
The FBI lists Vasilescu's date of birth as July 20, 1998. He is described as approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing approximately 198 pounds, and the FBI identifies "Fabian Majewski" as an alias associated with him. Federal authorities have released multiple photographs of Vasilescu to assist law-enforcement agencies and members of the public in recognizing him.
The FBI states that Vasilescu was last seen in Southern California. His federal arrest warrant dates back to April 2023, and he continues to be sought in connection with the charges. Anyone who believes they recognize Vasilescu should provide the information directly to law enforcement rather than attempting to approach or detain him.
A Crime Designed to Remain Hidden
Electronic skimming is particularly effective because the victim does not need to lose possession of a physical card for a theft to occur. Instead, criminals secretly copy the information stored on the card while the victim conducts what appears to be a legitimate transaction. When hidden cameras are also used to capture PIN numbers, criminals can obtain multiple pieces of information required to access an account.
The equipment described by the FBI was specifically designed to remain unnoticed. Small skimming devices could be installed inside terminals where customers could not see them, while miniature cameras could record the PIN pad from another position. A customer could complete a transaction, retrieve the original card, and leave without knowing that both the card information and PIN had been compromised.
Targeting Government Benefits Recipients
The choice of EBT accounts made the scheme particularly damaging to its victims. These accounts contain government benefits provided to qualifying individuals and families, many of whom rely on the money for food and other necessities. Unauthorized withdrawals can therefore remove funds that a recipient may have been depending on for immediate household expenses.
With more than 300 accounts affected and more than $220,000 in requested disbursements, the case demonstrates how electronic financial crimes can be scaled across large numbers of victims. Rather than targeting a single account for a large amount of money, a skimming network can collect information from numerous people and repeatedly exploit compromised accounts.
FBI Continues Search for Vasilescu
Ilie-Sebastian-Laur Vasilescu remains wanted by the FBI for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. The federal warrant for his arrest was issued on April 19, 2023, and the FBI lists Southern California as his last known location. Federal authorities continue to seek information that could assist in locating him.
Anyone with information concerning Vasilescu's whereabouts should contact the FBI or, if outside the United States, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Members of the public should not attempt to confront, follow, detain, or apprehend a wanted individual and should instead provide relevant information directly to law enforcement.
Sources: Federal Bureau of Investigation and federal law-enforcement records.
