Illegal Alien STEALS Tens of Thousands EBT Cards

A Romanian illegal alien who overstayed his tourist visa has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for orchestrating a massive welfare fraud scheme that stole tens of thousands of EBT cards from America’s most vulnerable citizens.

Story Snapshot

Romanian national Catalin-Marius Graur overstayed his 2020 tourist visa and operated a sophisticated EBT card skimming operation
The scheme compromised tens of thousands of welfare cards across California and New York, targeting low-income Americans
Graur was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison and ordered to pay $165,697 in restitution
The case highlights failures in immigration enforcement and the vulnerability of America’s welfare systems to foreign criminals

Foreign Criminal Exploits Immigration Loopholes

Catalin-Marius Graur entered the United States in 2020 on a tourist visa but never left, becoming one of millions of illegal aliens operating freely within our borders. Instead of contributing to American society, Graur established a transnational criminal network that systematically defrauded American taxpayers and the nation’s most vulnerable citizens. His case exemplifies the dangerous consequences of our broken immigration system, where foreign criminals exploit lax enforcement to prey upon Americans. This undermines both national security and the integrity of programs designed to help legitimate citizens in need.

Sophisticated Attack on America’s Safety Net

Between 2021 and 2024, Graur and his accomplices installed advanced skimming devices on ATMs and point-of-sale terminals throughout Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, and New York City. These devices captured data from tens of thousands of Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, stealing benefits intended for low-income American families. The operation was so extensive that when arrested in June 2024, authorities found Graur carrying $37,000 in cash and 1,448 stolen access device numbers. This represents a direct assault on programs funded by hardworking American taxpayers and administered to help fellow citizens in genuine need.

Justice Served Despite Systemic Failures

U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi sentenced Graur to 10 years in federal prison on August 4, 2025, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The court also ordered him to pay $165,697 in restitution to victims. While this sentence delivers appropriate consequences for Graur’s crimes, it raises troubling questions about how an illegal alien was able to operate such an extensive criminal enterprise for years without detection. The case underscores the urgent need for enhanced immigration enforcement and better security measures to protect both our welfare systems and the Americans who depend on them.

Broader Implications for National Security

This case represents more than simple fraud—it demonstrates how transnational criminal organizations exploit America’s porous borders and overwhelmed immigration system. Romanian criminal groups have been linked to similar skimming operations across the globe, yet our current policies allow them to establish footholds on American soil. The targeting of EBT recipients—often elderly Americans, families with children, and disabled individuals—reveals the callous nature of these foreign criminal enterprises. This situation demands immediate action to strengthen visa enforcement, enhance welfare system security, and prioritize the protection of American citizens over the accommodation of those who flagrantly violate our laws.