Daniel Balan, a 47-year-old Romanian national from Bacau, has been sentenced to more than three years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to an ATM skimming scheme in Tallahassee, Florida. The sentencing was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Balan admitted guilt to five counts of bank fraud, five counts of aggravated identity theft, possession of 15 or more access devices, and making a false statement to a federal agency. According to court records, starting January 28, 2025, Balan installed skimming devices and cameras on several ATMs around Tallahassee. These devices collected customer account information and PINs. Between February 8 and 9, 2025, he used this stolen data to withdraw $56,340 from customer accounts. When arrested, law enforcement found 28 gift cards encoded with stolen account information and marked with corresponding PINs.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “This offender exploited numerous innocent victims for his own financial gain, but thanks to the outstanding investigative work of our state and federal law enforcement partners he will enjoy an extended stay behind bars. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute these crimes to vindicate the victims exploited by these offenses and hold the fraudsters accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno commented: “ATM skimming is not just a crime against individual account holders—it undermines public trust in our banking systems,” adding that “victims suffer financial losses and stress, banks and businesses face increased costs, and law enforcement resources are diverted to investigate these schemes. This sentence demonstrates HSI’s commitment to work tirelessly alongside our law enforcement partners to protecting our community from these fraud schemes and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.”
Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil noted: “The successful resolution of this case highlights the strength of our partnership with Homeland Security Investigations and federal prosecutors. Together, we were able to stop a sophisticated scheme that targeted innocent people across Leon County.”
The investigation was carried out jointly by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Justin M. Keen and Eric W. Welch prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, eliminating transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protecting communities from violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices serving as principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. Additional public court documents can be accessed via the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website or through http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
