A Romanian national with a long record of skimming crimes in multiple states is once again headed for federal prison and is expected to be deported afterward. Danut Valentin Urseiu first entered the United States illegally in early 2023, according to court documents, and quickly became involved in an ATM skimming ring that targeted financial institutions across Ohio, Michigan, New York, and other states. Prosecutors say the operation stole card data from thousands of victims and caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses.
Michigan authorities played a key role in exposing his activity. In Royal Oak, police arrested Urseiu after finding 62 fraudulent gift cards in his pockets and another 192 inside the vehicle he was driving. Earlier this year he was convicted in Michigan on identity theft and related state charges and served 122 days. After his release he was charged in Detroit federal court for unlawfully re-entering the United States, pleaded guilty, and received a 10 month sentence.
His run-ins were not limited to Michigan. In March 2023 deputies in Monroe County, New York caught Urseiu and two accomplices attempting to install a skimmer at an ATM in Henrietta. Investigators say he initially gave a false name and carried forged Italian identification. ICE agents took custody of him because of his non citizen status.
Most recently, federal prosecutors in Cincinnati secured a conviction in a bank fraud conspiracy tied to a two week spree in early 2023 when skimmers and concealed cameras were placed on ATMs in Cincinnati, Green Township, and Liberty Township. Fingerprints recovered from the devices matched previous arrests in Michigan and New York, and his phones contained photos of skimming tools, recording devices, and large amounts of cash. Urseiu was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison and, given his repeated illegal entries and prior convictions, authorities say he is expected to be deported when his sentence is complete.
