By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
OZARK—Federal authorities say a credit card skimming operation that stretched across Alabama, Mississippi, and into Florida was uncovered and ultimately dismantled in large part because of the early investigative response by the Ozark Police Department.
What began as a single report in an Ozark grocery store quickly developed into a much broader fraud investigation involving multiple states, dozens of compromised payment terminals, and nearly $2 million in intended financial losses.
The case started in March 2025 when an employee at a grocery store in Ozark noticed a suspicious device attached to a point-of-sale terminal. The employee reported the suspicious device to the Ozark Police Department (OPD), prompting an immediate response from local investigators.
Thanks to excellent investigative work, the OPD officers quickly ascertained that the device was a credit card skimmer designed to capture sensitive payment data from customers. That discovery triggered what would become a rapidly expanding investigation across multiple jurisdictions and states.
The Dale County Chronicle reached out to the OPD for an interview for this special report.
Ozark Police Captain Niles said the scope of the case became clearer almost immediately after the initial evidence was reviewed.
“After discovering the skimming device [at the local grocery store], we did the initial investigation, and based on the evidence discovered, the case spiraled out as we realized the fraud scheme involved more than Ozark,” Niles said.
Within hours of launching the investigation, Ozark detectives began identifying potential suspects and coordinating with outside agencies. That early work ultimately led to the arrest of two suspects in Lynn Haven, Florida within less than 12 hours after officers first arrived at the grocery store.
Authorities said the skimming devices were designed to closely resemble legitimate payment terminals while secretly capturing magnetic stripe data and, in some cases, recording PIN entries. The stolen information was then used to carry out unauthorized purchases and cash withdrawals. Officials warn the public to remain vigilant when paying with credit and debit cards.
Ozark Police credited its Investigations Unit with driving the early momentum of the case. Lt. Everett Evans, commander of the unit, and Senior Sgt. Justin Chadwick, chief investigator, coordinated evidence collection, secured search warrants, and worked closely with local, state, and federal partners as the investigation expanded beyond Alabama.
Both investigators also assisted directly in the Florida operation that resulted in the arrests, working alongside the Lynn Haven Police Department and other agencies during the coordinated takedown.
Niles also emphasized the collaborative effort behind the case, noting that Ozark officers worked closely with multiple agencies throughout the investigation.
He expressed appreciation for the work of OPD personnel involved in the case, as well as support from outside agencies that helped expand the investigation beyond the Wiregrass.
The Ozark Police Department also credited Deputy Taylor Peters of the Dale County Sheriff’s Office with providing critical intelligence that helped move the case forward.
What began as a single skimming device in Ozark ultimately exposed a broader criminal enterprise. Federal authorities later determined that at least 23 skimming devices were placed at 12 retail locations across Alabama and Mississippi, including in Dothan, Alexander City, Eufaula, Bessemer, Tuscaloosa, Gadsden, Mobile, Talladega, and Gulfport.
The scope of the operation drew in federal investigators, including the United States Secret Service, which linked the suspects to a coordinated network operating across multiple states.
On March 26, 2026, two Romanian nationals tied to the operation were sentenced in federal court. Denis Adelin Ionescu, 24, received 46 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of device-making equipment. Ioan Victor Stanciu, 33, was sentenced to 24 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit access device fraud. Federal officials noted there is no parole in the federal system.
Investigators estimated the intended financial loss from the scheme at $1,794,978.36, with confirmed losses totaling $50,978.36. The court also ordered restitution in that amount.
A third co-conspirator, Marian Catalin Matei, has pleaded guilty to possession of device-making equipment and is scheduled for sentencing on May 21, 2026.
Additional assistance in the case came from multiple agencies, including the Bessemer Police Department and law enforcement partners in Alabama and Florida.
Officials say the case highlights how quickly a single local report can expand into a multi-state investigation when supported by timely reporting and coordinated law enforcement response. The Ozark Police Department’s early actions and effective investigative measures were instrumental in identifying suspects and helping prevent further financial losses across the region and beyond.
Officials warn the public of the importance of remaining vigilant to prevent falling victim to fraud schemes, which are on the rise with advancements in technology. To prevent credit card skimming, law enforcement authorities recommend prioritizing the use of contactless payments, such as tap-to-pay or mobile wallets, instead of traditional swiping. Using tap-to-pay options generates an encrypted code for each transaction, which adds protection against skimming and fraud schemes. Additionally, officials recommend physically inspecting card readers for loose, bulky, or attached components that may appear crooked or in a color that does not match the rest of the terminal. You can also gently move the card reader from side to side. If it is loose or wobbly, it may have been tampered with, and you should contact the store’s management immediately. As always, it is better safe than sorry.
