A Romanian national has been sentenced to one year in federal prison for his involvement in installing card skimming devices at grocery stores across the Southern District of Mississippi. Giovanni Iortoman, 21, received a 12-month sentence on December 8, 2025, after being convicted of illegal possession, production, or trafficking in device-making equipment. His co-defendant, Antonio Rafaila, 19, pleaded guilty to the same charge earlier this year and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18.
Authorities say that on March 31, 2025, employees at a grocery store in Laurel discovered a skimmer attached to a point-of-sale terminal. Skimmers are devices capable of capturing sensitive account information from credit and debit cards used by customers. After reviewing CCTV footage and contacting law enforcement, investigators identified Rafaila and Iortoman as those responsible for placing the device.
According to court documents and statements made during proceedings, Rafaila and Iortoman used similar methods at several grocery stores in Jones, Rankin, and Madison counties with the goal of stealing personal information for profit. One would distract checkout staff while the other installed the skimmer discreetly.
The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office Cyber Fraud Task Force alerted local businesses about the suspects and their vehicle description. Shortly after another incident involving a skimmer installation in Madison County, police stopped their sedan.
During questioning by officers, Iortoman presented a Romanian ID card while Rafaila provided false identification using an Italian passport under another name. Checks with government databases confirmed both men were foreign nationals who had entered the United States without authorization.
Criminal charges were filed against them on April 2; they were indicted by a federal grand jury on April 8. If convicted at sentencing later this month, Rafaila faces up to fifteen years in prison; sentencing will be determined according to federal guidelines and statutory considerations. Both individuals may also face deportation upon completion of their sentences due to their immigration status.
U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi announced the sentencing alongside U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Patrick Davis and Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service and Mississippi Attorney General’s Office through their joint Cyber Fraud Task Force partnership with assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly T. Purdie and C. Brett Grantham are prosecuting the case.
In response to these incidents, officials from the Cyber Fraud Task Force have advised consumers to use terminals that support tap-to-pay or chip reading capabilities rather than swiping cards when possible. They also recommend inspecting payment terminals for any unusual features or overlays before inserting cards.
