Citizen Of Turkey Sentenced To 59 Months In Federal Prison For Role In Atm “skimming” Scheme

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MEHMET AYDIN, 42, a citizen of Turkey last residing in Miller Place, N.Y., was sentenced today by United States District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 59 months of imprisonment for his participation in an ATM skimming scheme across southern New England.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between February 2011 and July 2011, AYDIN, Ahmet Cilek, Gabriella Graham and others conspired to install “skimming” devices on automated teller machines (“ATMs”) at 11 banks and one credit union in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  The devices were able to capture the information  encoded on the magnetic strips of bank cards used by ATM customers.  The co-conspirators also placed devices on the ATMs that contained hidden pinhole cameras, which recorded the personal identification numbers that bank customers keyed into the ATMs to gain access to their accounts.  The co-conspirators used the stolen information captured by the skimming devices and pinhole cameras to create counterfeit bank cards that allowed them to withdraw funds from the customers’ accounts.

As a result of this scheme, approximately 500 bank accounts were victimized and financial institutions have suffered losses of approximately $336,057.64.  As part of his sentence, AYDIN was ordered to make full restitution, jointly and severally with his co-defendants.

AYDIN has been detained since his arrest on November 2, 2011.  On April 12, 2012, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Cilek and Graham also pleaded guilty.  On June 14, 2012, Graham was sentenced to 45 months of imprisonment.  Cilek awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, which includes members of the United States Secret Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, United States Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Connecticut State Police, and the Greenwich, Hartford, Stamford, Shelton and Stratford Police Departments.  U.S. Attorney Fein specifically recognized the efforts of the Greenwich Police Department, Darien Police Department, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s Office of Fraud Detection and National Security, and U.S. Secret Service in Boston and Providence for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this matter.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov