EBT Skimming Ring Stole $25K From Vulnerable NJ Families Accounts, Middlesex Cops Say

HIGHLAND PARK, NJ — Ten people have been arrested and charged in connection with a multi-state EBT card skimming operation that defrauded victims of more than $25,000 in New Jersey alone, authorities said.

Maru Dumitru, Stefan Lautaru, Boby-Stefan Degeratu, Gabriela Ilie, Claudiu Padeanu, Demetria Costache, Mensi Dumitru, Albert Enciu, Florin Badea, and Gheorghe Miclescu— were all charged with second- and third-degree crimes related to the use and trafficking of personal identifying information, theft, and financial facilitation of criminal activity.

Beginning in February 2025, the defendants installed skimming devices at point-of-sale terminals in various business establishments to steal Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) account information, county Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said.

Using this stolen data, they created counterfeit debit cards and made bulk purchases of energy drinks and baby formula at retail stores across five New Jersey counties—Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Somerset, and Union—as well as locations in New York and Pennsylvania.

All purchases were charged to victims' legitimate EBT accounts, leaving vulnerable families without access to their food assistance benefits, Ciccone said.

Joint searches conducted by the Highland Park Police Department and the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office uncovered extensive evidence of the operation, including more than 100 EBT cards with stickers containing PINs and loaded amounts, current skimming and encoding devices, and proceeds from the thefts, Ciccone said.

Following a July 10, pretrial hearing, Maru Dumitru, Stefan Lautaru, Gheorghe Miclescu, and Boby-Stefan Degeratu, were ordered held at the County Correctional Center pending trial.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about this case to contact Detective Brian O'Mara of the Highland Park Police Department at 732-572-3800 or Detective Greg MacDonald of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office at 732-745-3300.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com