Two people that are suspected of being a part of a nationwide fraud organization were arrested in Michigan City on Saturday, according to Michigan City police.
On Saturday at about 1:50 p.m. an officer received a notification from the city’s Flock Falcon Camera System that a 2015 white Toyota Sienna with a California license plate had entered the city limits of Michigan City that was suspected in multiple out of state felony financial crimes.
The officer located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on it near the intersection of East U.S. Highway 12 and East Michigan Boulevard.
Police say the male driver produced a counterfeit identification card to the officer. The man was eventually identified as 32-year-old Washington state resident Florin Vaduva. Florin was arrested during the traffic stop for possession of a false government identification. A female passenger was then identified as 26-year-old Washington state resident Loredana Vaduva. Loredana was arrested for 9 out of state felony theft warrants from Colorado, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Both Florin and Loredana were eventually transported to the LaPorte County Jail.
The officer learned during his investigation that Florin and Loredana were members of a nationwide criminal organization who are suspected of placing illegal electronic devices on automated teller machines (ATMs) known as “skimmers”. Police say these devices are used to fraudulently record bank card data such as the card holder’s name, bank card number, expiration date, and bank card security code when a bank card is placed into an ATM. Florin and Loredana are also suspected of multiple illegal large-scale operations that defrauded several financial institutions across the country in excess of $500,000. Police say Florin was identified as one of the high-ranking members within this criminal organization.
Probable cause was found on Monday to charge Florin with possession of a false government identification. Police say he was issued a $1,500 cash only bond and has since paid that amount to be released from the LaPorte County Jail. Loredana is awaiting extradition back to Colorado, Minnesota and Wisconsin.