Executive Summary
Laws and Precedent
A Romanian national, Daniel Balan, 46, has pleaded guilty in a federal court in Florida to multiple charges related to an ATM skimming scheme that defrauded customers of more than $56,000. Balan, from Bacau, Romania, admitted guilt to five counts of bank fraud, five counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of possessing 15 or more access devices.
Details of the Scheme
According to court documents, Balan began placing “skimming” devices and cameras on several ATMs in the Tallahassee, Florida, area on January 28, 2025. These devices were designed to capture customer account and access device information, including card numbers and PINs.
Between February 8 and 9, 2025, Balan utilized the stolen information to fraudulently obtain $56,340 from various customer accounts. Upon his arrest, law enforcement officials discovered 28 gift cards in his possession that had been encoded with the compromised account information and corresponding PINs.
Law Enforcement Response
United States Attorney John P. Heekin for the Northern District of Florida emphasized the importance of accountability in such cases. “This offender exploited numerous innocent victims for his own financial gain, but thanks to the outstanding investigative work of our state and federal law enforcement partners he will enjoy an extended stay behind bars,” Heekin stated.
Heekin affirmed his office’s commitment to prosecuting these crimes aggressively. The aim is to vindicate victims and ensure fraudsters are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was the result of a joint investigation conducted by U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. This collaborative effort was crucial in identifying and apprehending Balan.
Assistant United States Attorneys Justin M. Keen and Eric W. Welch are prosecuting the case. Their work will lead to Balan’s sentencing later this year.
Potential Penalties and Sentencing
Balan faces significant penalties for his role in the skimming operation. He could receive up to 30 years’ imprisonment and five years of supervised release for each bank fraud count. For the charge of possessing 15 or more access devices, he faces up to ten years’ imprisonment and five years of supervised release.
Additionally, each count of aggravated identity theft carries a consecutive two-year imprisonment sentence and one year of supervised release. His sentencing is scheduled for December 3, 2025, at 2:00 pm at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, before United States District Judge Mark Walker.
Balan’s plea underscores the ongoing efforts by federal and local law enforcement to combat sophisticated financial fraud schemes that target unsuspecting bank customers. His sentencing later this year will mark the culmination of the investigation into the significant losses incurred by victims in the Tallahassee area.
