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Two Men Arrested for ATM Skimming in Riverside

Riverside police have apprehended two individuals this week on charges of installing a “skimming” device at an ATM in an attempt to gather bank card information for unauthorized access to victims’ accounts. The suspects were caught in the act by officers from the Riverside Police Department, pointing what appeared to be a makeshift antenna towards a Bank of America ATM located at 10297 Magnolia Ave.

After observing the suspicious behavior, the officers approached the men and conducted a search of their vehicle. The search yielded the discovery of skimming devices, tools used to install these devices at ATMs, and access cards meant for cloning fraudulent copies of bank cards. The authorities suspect that these men may also be linked to two other ongoing card-skimming fraud investigations, one of which resulted in the withdrawal of over $10,000 from two victims’ bank accounts, as stated by Riverside police spokesman Officer Ryan Railsback.

The two suspects, identified as Nicolae Masu, aged 29, and George Mirica, aged 26, both residents of Santa Ana, have been arrested and charged with identity theft, transferring stolen identity information, and conspiracy. They were subsequently booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center and released on a bail amount of $10,000 each.

Officer Ryan Railsback emphasized the suspects’ preference for targeting ATM cards that lack security chips. Such cards frequently include those issued by the state for programs such as unemployment insurance or food assistance. In light of this, Riverside police advise residents to exercise caution when using ATMs by checking for loose parts or unusual attachments, covering the number pad on both sides while entering the PIN, and regularly changing the PIN to deter fraud.

The investigation into Nicolae Masu and George Mirica is currently underway, with Officer Railsback stating that anyone with information related to this case can contact either Det. Michael Gomez at (951) 353-7115 or Det. Javier Cabrera at (951) 353-7116. Alternatively, individuals can provide anonymous information by emailing RPDTips@riversideca.gov.

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