Six members of a gang that stole £700,000 from cash machines across the UK have been jailed.
The group, based in Romania but operating out of Luton, carried out the offences between February and December 2024. Investigators said the gang used sophisticated devices to bypass cashpoint security systems, making fraudulent withdrawals at 51 locations in 3,300 separate transactions.
Det Insp Dan Barker, from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU), said the gang “thought they were above the law both here in the UK and in Romania.” Reports of fraudulent activity prompted a major investigation, which led to the gang being dismantled.
An initial five arrests were made in December 2024, including at Luton Airport as suspects attempted to leave the country. Further raids were carried out in Luton and Norfolk, where chipboards programmed to bypass cashpoint security and a cash machine purchased from China were seized. ERSOU also discovered that the gang was developing new technology for future offences.
In July, international raids were conducted across 18 addresses in Romania’s Bacau region with support from local police, Europol, and Eurojust. Two further arrests were made, and luxury cars, including a Lamborghini and a Porsche, were seized. Officers also raided a fortified property where the gang’s “FTP” moniker was carved into the front gate and printed on the floor of a swimming pool. Those arrested were extradited to the UK.
Sentences for the six jailed men at Luton Crown Court were as follows:
Constantin Boghiu, 25, of Kimpton Road, Luton – three years and three months for conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to launder money.
Alex Militaru, 25, of High Street Watton, Thetford – two years and five months for conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to launder money.
Marius Chifan, 33, of St Catherines Avenue, Luton – three years and three months for conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to launder money.
Gabriel Rosu, 33, of Flowers Way, Luton – three and a half years for conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to launder money.
Razvan Verde, 31, of no fixed abode – four years and four months for conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to launder money, and possession of articles for use in fraud.
Cristian Cimpoesu, 28, of no fixed abode – one and a half years for conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to launder money.
In total, nine men were convicted in connection with the fraud, with three others due to be sentenced in December and January. All face the prospect of deportation after completing their sentences.
Det Insp Barker said: “This has been a long running operation involving teams from across Europe, and it’s positive that these offenders will now be spending spells behind bars.”
