Romanian National Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that MARINICA MIREL COTOI, age 37, of Romania, pled guilty today to one count of bank fraud related to the use of ATM “skimming” devices.

According to court documents, in January 2015, the U.S. Secret Service and the Louisiana Financial Crimes Task Force began investigating the unauthorized collection of debit card numbers through the installation of “skimming devices” on various ATM machines and the subsequent illegal use of fake debit cards.  In March of this year, COTOI and another man rented a hotel room in Covington.  Shortly thereafter, COTOI was captured on surveillance video using fake debit cards to withdraw funds from three local bank accounts. COTOI later admitted that he illegally entered the United States.

COTOI faces a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, up to $250,000 in fines, and up to three years of supervised release.  COTOI also faces deportation consequences as a result of his conviction.  U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown set sentencing on December 3, 2015.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the U.S. Secret Service and the Louisiana Financial Crimes Task Force, with assistance from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorneys Edward J. Rivera and Carter Guice are in charge of the prosecution.