TYLER, Texas - A Romanian national has been sentenced to two years in prison after investigators uncovered a large debit card skimming operation involving hundreds of victims and more than 240 skimming devices.
Cristain Aron Broinas pleaded guilty in Bexar County to unlawful interception, use or disclosure of wire, oral or electronic communications, a violation of the Texas Penal Code.
The Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center began investigating the operation in December 2025 after financial information was stolen from hundreds of people in Central Texas.
The investigation eventually led special agents to a short-term rental property in the San Antonio area where authorities said Broinas was manufacturing and deploying card skimmers.
During a search of the property, investigators seized more than 240 skimming devices and 773 re-encoded payment cards.
Agents also recovered 12 fraudulent identification documents and passports containing multiple identities, equipment used to make counterfeit cards and approximately $6,000 in cash.
A forensic examination of the seized evidence identified hundreds of victims, according to the TX FCIC.
Skimming devices are designed to secretly capture payment card information when customers insert or swipe their cards. Criminals can then use the stolen information to create fraudulent cards or make unauthorized transactions.
The Texas Department of Public Safety and Bexar County Criminal District Attorney's Office assisted the TX FCIC with the investigation.
Federal immigration authorities also became involved in the case. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed an immigration detainer on Broinas while he was being held at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center.
According to ICE, Broinas does not have lawful immigration status in the United States. He is expected to face federal immigration proceedings after completing his two-year state prison sentence.
