DALLAS, Texas — Three members of an organized criminal enterprise have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms after pleading guilty to operating a sophisticated credit card skimming scheme that targeted hundreds of customers across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
According to the Dallas County Criminal District Attorney's Office, Gheorge-Ciprian Hilitanu, Victor Tecu, and Ionut Firan-Alexandrau pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges stemming from a financial fraud operation that placed skimming devices at CVS and Walgreens stores throughout North Texas during July 2025. The three are Romanian nationals.
The investigation, led by the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (TX FCIC), found the group installed hidden skimming devices on payment terminals to capture debit and credit card information from unsuspecting customers.
Authorities said a forensic examination of the seized devices identified at least 783 victims whose financial information had been stolen.
Following the arrests, TX FCIC special agents executed a search warrant at the Airbnb where the suspects were staying.
Investigators recovered more than 150 skimming devices, 237 re-encoded gift cards containing stolen account information, 25 fraudulent international identification cards and passports bearing multiple identities, and equipment used to manufacture counterfeit payment cards and facilitate financial fraud.
On June 25, 2026, Judge Lela Mayes sentenced Hilitanu to 30 years in prison after he entered an open plea to charges including Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity and Fraudulent Possession or Use of a Credit or Debit Card. He also received 20-year sentences for Tampering with a Governmental Record and Unlawful Use of a Wire or Electronic Communication.
On June 29, 2026, Tecu and Firan-Alexandrau each pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 20 years in prison on all charges.
Assistant Criminal District Attorney Aja Reed prosecuted the case on behalf of the Dallas County Criminal District Attorney's Office.
"Financial crimes like these affect everyday people who are simply going about their lives," Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot said. "The defendants in this case operated a sophisticated criminal enterprise that victimized hundreds of people across North Texas. These significant prison sentences reflect the serious harm caused by organized financial crime and demonstrate our commitment to holding those who exploit hardworking Texans fully accountable."
Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center Captain Jeff Roberts praised the collaborative effort that led to the convictions.
"This case demonstrates the TX FCIC's commitment to dismantling organized financial crime networks that target everyday Texans," Roberts said. "We extend our sincere thanks to the Dallas County District Attorney's Office and the presiding judge for their diligence in prosecuting this case and handing down a punishment that reflects the severity of these crimes. These significant convictions send a clear message: we will pursue those who threaten the security of our financial systems and the economic well-being of our state. We remain dedicated to protecting Texas victims and our economy."
Investigators encourage consumers to protect themselves from skimming by inspecting card readers before use, covering the keypad while entering a PIN, regularly monitoring bank accounts for suspicious activity, and promptly reporting unauthorized transactions to their financial institution.
