Courts / Dublin / Report

Romanian men jailed over trapping of ATM cards

Summary

Two Romanian men, Vasile Bizau (24) and Ioan Bizau (31), were convicted in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for a scheme that involved attaching a card‑trapping device to ATMs and using an iPod Nano to record customers' PINs. The trial, which lasted four weeks and heard 80 witnesses, resulted in seven counts of possession of stolen ATM cards for each defendant and additional counts of theft and possession of a card‑trapping device. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced Ioan to four and a half years and Vasile to three and a half years, suspending the final year of each term on the condition that they leave Ireland and do not return for ten years. The case was built on extensive CCTV footage, recovered devices, and forensic evidence collected by Gardaí, who praised the police work in the investigation. Ioan Bizau pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Romanian men jailed over trapping of ATM cards. Charges or matters: having a card trapping device and iPod Nano with video recording capabilities and magnets affixed at Bank of Ireland, Ranelagh on March 20, 2014; attempting to steal an ATM card on the same occasion. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Convicted

When:

• November 2014 Incident
• March 20, 2014 Other
• November 4, 2014 Incident
• 2015-11-20 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Finding Theft

Related court reports

• McGovern asks for credit for 'onerous' time spent in Dubai prison
• 'My dad would be offended somebody as stupid as you killed him', daughter tells McGovern
• 'How can we help this man if he's not willing to help himself?' - offender given 'one final opportunity' to address alcohol issues
• Forklift driver knocked out customer's two front teeth at builder's supply shop
• Woman fined for driving e-scooter in public place three years ago
• Serial roads offender caught for third time driving while banned

Read the original CNI report