ATM ‘cash trapping’ fraud in Plano leads to arrest of international fugitive
What began with a Plano resident reporting a strange incident at his drive-up ATM led to the capture of an international fugitive and a warning about a little-known scheme called ‘cash trapping.’
A Romanian national identified as Ionut Aurel Iova is in federal custody after being captured last week in the Houston area, according to the Plano Police Department.
A quick trip to his local ATM left Jonathan Hogue empty-handed and confused.
“It looks just like a part of the ATM,” said Hogue, pointing at a picture he took of the cash machine. “I just thought it was a door that was going to pop up and give me the money.”
But Hogue’s whopping $700 withdrawal did not just ‘pop up.’
“I didn’t know what was going on. I’ve never seen anything like this before,” he said. “I didn’t know what to think.”
Ray McCormick’s $100 wasn’t caught in a broken cash machine either.
“The cash didn’t come out,” he said. “I was bewildered and surprised as well.”
The two Plano residents had no idea they had just become the unsuspecting victims of ‘cash trapping’ fraud.
Here’s how the scheme works: perpetrators install a long object on top of the slits that dispense a customer’s cash withdrawals.
“The devices they‘re using fit, from what I’ve been told and photographs I’ve seen, perfectly over the dispenser mechanism of the ATM machine,” said Officer Jerry Minton with the Plano Police Department. “It’s attached by a double-sided tape or similar substance and it has a special tool that is handmade by the perpetrator to remove the device.”
If you’ve never heard of ‘cash trapping,’ you’re not alone.
“I hadn’t either,” said Minton. “I was doing forgery investigations for 32 years and this is a new one for us.”
The theft involving Hogue and McCormick reportedly happened in July at the Bank of America ATM located near the corner of Parker and Preston roads in Plano.
When asked why the city of Plano was targeted, Minton said it was likely a crime of opportunity.
Police do not believe the device was equipped with technology alerting Iova that someone had stopped by the machine. Instead, Minton believes the suspect was lurking nearby.
“This individual was waiting for the person to leave and as soon as they left he would come take the device off, take the cash out and possibly be reinstalling it for the next victim,” he said.
Fortunately, Hogue snapped a picture and was encouraged by his boss to file a police report shortly after.
Little did he know this strange experience would grow into a multi-agency investigation and the arrest of the alleged culprit and two others last week in the Houston area, where he was reportedly living.
Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers arrested Iova and two other men with him during a traffic stop on Aug. 20, according to police.
Iova is wanted by Hungarian Police for drug offenses, by Maryland authorities for banking-related larceny, and is the subject of 56 theft and fraud warrants out of Canada, according to a press release.
Texas authorities coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security.
Iova is currently in the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, according to Plano Police.
“I’m ecstatic he was caught,” said Hogue. “This guy does not deserve to be walking around on the streets. He doesn’t deserve the freedom because he’s done this to such a degree and hurt so many people. I’m sure he doesn’t deserve the freedom, so I’m glad he got caught and I’m glad I was able to file a police report and get this going.
Hogue commends Plano Police for its quick action, including Detective Jones.
“In a small way, I’m glad it happened to me so I could get the word out to everybody,” he said.
McCormick said it is difficult to say how bank customers can identify such a sophisticated scheme.
He’s very grateful Hogue came forward and reported the incident.
“But what I’ve learned from this is that if something is going on, you need to report it,” said McCormick. “I certainly will be more aware.”
Some tips from the Plano Police Department:
- Inspect ATMs before use for unusual devices or modifications.
- Cover the entry of your PIN when using ATMs.
- Report suspicious activity immediately.
- Contact your bank and the police promptly if an ATM withdrawal fails to dispense cash.
- Be aware that cash trapping devices can be difficult to detect immediately.
What began with a Plano resident reporting a strange incident at his drive-up ATM led to the capture of an international fugitive and a warning about a little-known scheme called ‘cash trapping.’
A Romanian national identified as Ionut Aurel Iova is in federal custody after being captured last week in the Houston area, according to the Plano Police Department.
A quick trip to his local ATM left Jonathan Hogue empty-handed and confused.
“It looks just like a part of the ATM,” said Hogue, pointing at a picture he took of the cash machine. “I just thought it was a door that was going to pop up and give me the money.”
But Hogue’s whopping $700 withdrawal did not just ‘pop up.’
“I didn’t know what was going on. I’ve never seen anything like this before,” he said. “I didn’t know what to think.”
Ray McCormick’s $100 wasn’t caught in a broken cash machine either.
“The cash didn’t come out,” he said. “I was bewildered and surprised as well.”
The two Plano residents had no idea they had just become the unsuspecting victims of ‘cash trapping’ fraud.
Here’s how the scheme works: perpetrators install a long object on top of the slits that dispense a customer’s cash withdrawals.
“The devices they‘re using fit, from what I’ve been told and photographs I’ve seen, perfectly over the dispenser mechanism of the ATM machine,” said Officer Jerry Minton with the Plano Police Department. “It’s attached by a double-sided tape or similar substance and it has a special tool that is handmade by the perpetrator to remove the device.”
If you’ve never heard of ‘cash trapping,’ you’re not alone.
“I hadn’t either,” said Minton. “I was doing forgery investigations for 32 years and this is a new one for us.”
The theft involving Hogue and McCormick reportedly happened in July at the Bank of America ATM located near the corner of Parker and Preston roads in Plano.
When asked why the city of Plano was targeted, Minton said it was likely a crime of opportunity.
Police do not believe the device was equipped with technology alerting Iova that someone had stopped by the machine. Instead, Minton believes the suspect was lurking nearby.
“This individual was waiting for the person to leave and as soon as they left he would come take the device off, take the cash out and possibly be reinstalling it for the next victim,” he said.
Fortunately, Hogue snapped a picture and was encouraged by his boss to file a police report shortly after.
Little did he know this strange experience would grow into a multi-agency investigation and the arrest of the alleged culprit and two others last week in the Houston area, where he was reportedly living.
Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers arrested Iova and two other men with him during a traffic stop on Aug. 20, according to police.
Iova is wanted by Hungarian Police for drug offenses, by Maryland authorities for banking-related larceny, and is the subject of 56 theft and fraud warrants out of Canada, according to a press release.
Texas authorities coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security.
Iova is currently in the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, according to Plano Police.
“I’m ecstatic he was caught,” said Hogue. “This guy does not deserve to be walking around on the streets. He doesn’t deserve the freedom because he’s done this to such a degree and hurt so many people. I’m sure he doesn’t deserve the freedom, so I’m glad he got caught and I’m glad I was able to file a police report and get this going.
Hogue commends Plano Police for its quick action, including Detective Jones.
“In a small way, I’m glad it happened to me so I could get the word out to everybody,” he said.
McCormick said it is difficult to say how bank customers can identify such a sophisticated scheme.
He’s very grateful Hogue came forward and reported the incident.
“But what I’ve learned from this is that if something is going on, you need to report it,” said McCormick. “I certainly will be more aware.”
Some tips from the Plano Police Department:
- Inspect ATMs before use for unusual devices or modifications.
- Cover the entry of your PIN when using ATMs.
- Report suspicious activity immediately.
- Contact your bank and the police promptly if an ATM withdrawal fails to dispense cash.
- Be aware that cash trapping devices can be difficult to detect immediately.