13 individuals suspected of working an identification and Digital Advantages Switch card theft operation and being linked to a Romanian syndicate have been arrested Tuesday at a Van Nuys motel, in line with the Los Angeles Police Division.
Authorities discovered bank card skimming units, card readers, greater than $36,000 and a lot of false identification playing cards and paperwork after they served a search warrant at a motel within the 4700 block of Sepulveda Boulevard, the LAPD stated in a information launch.
Police have been appearing on a neighborhood tip in regards to the suspects, who could also be a part of a Romanian syndicate recognized to focus on individuals experiencing financial hardship for his or her EBT playing cards, in line with the LAPD.
The LAPD stated the suspects have stolen thousands and thousands from ATM machines utilizing card skimmers to empty funds from EBT accounts in California.
The LAPD stated it has been working with the U.S. Secret Service and different federal and native regulation enforcement companies for the final two years as a part of the Southern California Excessive Tech Process Power, which goes after EBT fraud.
In Los Angeles County, officers say greater than $19.6 million in EBT advantages have been stolen in 2022 — a greater than 20-fold improve from the yr earlier than, when the county misplaced lower than $1 million. This January alone, the county misplaced over $2.9 million — a one-month report.
Instances workers author Rebecca Ellis contributed to this report.