A sophisticated international police operation has brought down a Romanian criminal network responsible for defrauding cash machines nationwide, with nine men receiving prison sentences totalling more than 25 years.
The Eastern Region Special Operations Unit worked alongside Romanian authorities to dismantle the organised group, which carried out over 3,300 fraudulent withdrawals from more than 50 ATMs during an 11-month period in 2024. According to Detective Inspector Dan Barker, the operation required “extensive work both here and overseas” to track the gang’s movements and uncover the technology enabling their crimes.
The investigation culminated in arrests at Luton Airport in December 2024, where several gang members were detained whilst attempting to leave the country. A subsequent operation eight months prior saw Romanian police search 18 properties in the Bacau region, revealing the extent of the criminals’ wealth and their contempt for law enforcement.
Officers discovered one property adorned with anti-police slogans, including the phrase painted across the bottom of a swimming pool. High-value vehicles including a Lamborghini and Porsche were seized from the fortified residence, whilst the gang had also purchased luxury sports cars in Britain using their ill-gotten gains.
The group, operating from a temporary base in Luton whilst maintaining links to numerous Romanian properties, used sophisticated chipboard devices to manipulate ATM security systems. Police recovered complex technology programmed specifically to bypass cashpoint protections, alongside a cash machine purchased from China which investigators believe was intended for developing future criminal methods.
At sentencing hearings on Friday, Ionut Pogar, 32, received three years and one month imprisonment after admitting conspiracy to defraud and launder money. Silviu Alistar, 32, was sentenced to two years and three months for the same offences.
Seven co-defendants had previously been jailed for nearly 24 years combined. Alex Munteanu, 38, received the longest individual sentence of four years and six months, whilst Razvan Verde, 31, who also admitted possessing articles for fraud, was jailed for four years and four months. Constantin Boghiu, 25, and Marius Chifan, 34, both received three years and three months, with Gabriel Rosu, 33, sentenced to three years and six months.
Alex Militaru, 25, was imprisoned for two years and five months, and Cristian Cimpoesu, 28, received 18 months. All nine men are expected to face deportation following their sentences.
Detective Inspector Barker described the crimes as “persistent, coordinated, and carried out on an almost industrial scale”, illustrating the lengths the criminals were prepared to go to evade detection.
