Hidden Camera ATM Fraud Case In Union County, Leader Sentenced To Federal Prison

WESTFIELD, NJ — A Romanian man has been sentenced for leading a multi-state fraud ring that included operations in both Westfield and Cranford.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois announced that Florin Nicolae Tarta, 40, was sentenced to six years and nine months in federal prison after being convicted on charges of bank fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft earlier this year.

Two other co-defendants, Leonid Grigore Smetanca, 45 of Romania, and Radu Farcas, 42 of London, have already been sentenced after both pleaded guilty.

Tarta and his team installed hidden cameras and skimming devices on Bank of America ATMs in both New Jersey and Illinois between August 2023 and March 2024.

After several days in the machines, Tarta and two others were able to remove the devices and steal debit card numbers and PINS from multiple victims. This data was then converted to magnetic strips on the back of gift cards that were used to withdraw cash at different banks.

One victim reported that they had been frequently using the ATM at the Westfield Bank of America at 221 Clark Street in March 2024, just days before reviewing their bank account and finding questionable activity.

Around $2,600 had been accessed at both a CVS and Walgreens in Westfield. This, after more than $10,000 had also been transacted fraudulently in January 2024 at the Bank of America ATM at 101 South Ave. W in Cranford.

The operation was brought to an end in March 2024 when a law enforcement official found the camera on a Westfield ATM. Later that night, police saw Tarta go back to the machine and begin to look at it. He was then taken into custody after resisting arrest while carrying more than $5,000 in $100 bills.

A total of $177,280 was lost due to the fraudulent transactions.

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