Man Charged In Skimmer Scheme After Fraud Investigation: Police

A man was arrested after a fraud investigation into a skimming scheme that allegedly was related to more than 20 similar incidents across Long Island, police said.

Southampton Town Police detectives were called to the 7-Eleven located on Flanders Road in Flanders Tuesday around 10:30 p.m to investigate a possible skimming device attached to the ATM machine.

Authorities determined that a skimming device was attached to the machine. Skimmers are installed right over the card slot on ATMs, and they capture debit and credit card numbers that thieves can then use to make fraudulent charges and drain bank accounts.

An ensuing investigation led to the arrest of Gabriel Olaru, "aka" Nicolas Moga, 30, of Queens and Brasov, Romania, police said. He was charged with criminal possession of a forgery device, felony and unlawful possession of a skimmer device, a misdemeanor, police said.

Southampton Town detectives coordinated with multiple agencies including federal agencies, Nassau and Suffolk counties, the New York Police Department and town and village police departments, which resulted in linking Olaro to more than 20 similar incidents across Long Island, police said.

He will be arraigned in Southampton Town Justice Court on Thursday, police said.

The investigation is continuing and additional charges are expected, police said.

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Mug shot courtesy of Southampton Town Police.