# Man sentenced for stealing millions in elaborate N.J. ATM skimming scheme

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Rajeev Dhir | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com By Rajeev Dhir | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com The Star-Ledger
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on December 13, 2016 at 4:51 PM
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NEWARK -- A Romanian native was sentenced to 57 months on Tuesday for his part in an ATM skimming scheme in several states including New Jersey, the U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said in a statement.

Robert Mate, 31, previously pleaded guilty to stealing bank account information after 16 people conspired to install hidden card-reading devices on ATMs across the country.

The group stole at least $5 million from Citibank, TD Bank, Wells Fargo and other banks -- affecting thousands of customers.

According to the statement, card readers and pinhole cameras installed captured bank account information and personal identification numbers. The information was used to create fraudulent ATM cards, which Mate and others used to withdraw money from people's bank accounts.

Fifteen members of the scheme have been arrested, including Mate.

Vintila and Bogdan Radu, both 34, who designed the devices, were also convicted, the statement said. Marius Vintila, 34, another Romanian, organized the scheme. One member, Ionut Vasile Ciurba-Stana, 30, remains at large.

Mate was also ordered to pay $7,397,270 restitution by Judge William J. Martini. He was arrested in Spain and extradited back to the United States for sentencing.

Rajeev Dhir may be reached at rdhir@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @googasmammoo. Find NJ.com on Facebook .

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