Three members of a credit card skimming operation have been sentenced to significant prison terms following their guilty pleas. The Dallas County Criminal District Attorney's Office announced that Gheorge-Ciprian Hilitanu received a 30-year sentence, while Victor Tecu and Ionut Firan-Alexandrau each received 20 years. The scheme targeted customers at CVS and Walgreens stores across North Texas in July 2025, affecting at least 783 victims.
The Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center led the investigation, revealing that the defendants installed hidden skimming devices on payment terminals to capture card information. Authorities found over 150 skimming devices, numerous re-encoded gift cards, and fraudulent identification documents during a search at their Airbnb. The stolen data was used to create counterfeit cards and make unauthorized purchases.
Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot emphasized the impact of such financial crimes on everyday individuals. Assistant Criminal District Attorney Aja Reed prosecuted the cases, and Captain Jeff Roberts of the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center stated that the convictions demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding the financial system. Consumers are advised to inspect card readers, cover keypads when entering PINs, and monitor account activity regularly to protect against skimming.
