PLANO, TX – Plano Police Detectives have resolved a complex fraud case involving ATM cash trapping, a scheme that targeted local bank customers and included the exploitation of an elderly victim.
About the Crime:
Cash trapping is a sophisticated type of ATM fraud in which criminals install devices inside the cash dispenser slot to block bills from being released to customers. Victims, believing the ATM is malfunctioning, often leave without their money. The suspects then return later to retrieve the trapped cash.
In July 2025, a suspect installed a metallic blocking device on an ATM at a financial institution on Preston Road in Plano. The device captured multiple withdrawals ranging from under $200 to several hundred dollars. Surveillance cameras recorded the suspect installing the device, customers being denied their cash, and the suspect later removing the device to steal the trapped currency.
One of the victims was an elderly customer, qualifying the crime as exploitation of an elderly person under Texas law.
Investigation and Arrest:
Detectives conducted a thorough investigation, reviewing surveillance video and working with outside agencies. The suspect was identified as Ionut Aurel Iova, a Romanian national with a lengthy criminal history. Iova is wanted in Hungary for drug offenses, in Maryland for banking-related larceny, and is the subject of 56 warrants in Canada tied to theft and fraud.
On August 20, 2025, Iova was arrested in the Houston area by Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers during a traffic stop. He was detained along with two other adult males. Texas DPS worked with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address his outstanding international warrants. Iova is currently in custody at the DHS-Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, TX.
Criminal Charges:
Iova faces several charges in Texas, including:
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Exploitation of Elderly Individual (3rd Degree Felony)
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Installing a Criminal Instrument (State Jail Felony)
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Additional theft-related charges
Prevention Tips from Plano Police:
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Inspect ATMs before use for unusual devices or alterations
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Shield your PIN entry while typing
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Report suspicious ATM activity immediately
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Contact your bank and police if cash fails to dispense
Authorities warn that cash trapping devices can be difficult to detect, and urge vigilance when using ATMs.
The case highlights the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation in combating international fraud and protecting vulnerable community members.
