3 Arrested In 2 Separate ATM Skimming Schemes

Man Accused In ATM Scam Arrested In South Seattle

Beneyam Asrat G-Sellassie, 22, was arrested Tuesday afternoon on charges related to a skimming operation run in Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle said. G-Sellassie is accused of being involved in a scam that compromised as many as 1,800 accounts, which affected at least 573 customers for a total known loss figure of more than $394,000.

G-Sellassie was arrested at a Chase Bank branch in South Seattle after Chase security notified Seattle police that he was trying to withdraw funds from an ATM using compromised information from Las Vegas customers, the Attorney's Office said. If convicted, G-Sellasie faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

2 Arrested In 3-State ATM Scam

Ionut Buzbuchi, 55, of Renton, and Mihai Eleckes, 35, of Issaquah, have also been arrested in connection with a seperate ATM skimming ring.

The Attorney's Office said both men had been known by law enforcement for alleged skimming dating back to 2009. They were more recently accused of being involved in skimming account information in Washington, Idaho and Arizona, in an operation that targeted BECU, Watermark and First Tech Credit Unions, as well as Chase ATMs.

The Attorney's Office said the men sometimes installed the skimmer on the access door to the lobby where the ATMs were located. Losses totaled more than $160,000.

Both men have been charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and possession of device making equipment. They face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.