Romanian national traveling in New York and Delaware facing charges after alleged skimming scheme in Massachusetts, Rhode Island

Police on the South Coast have arrested a Romanian national on several charges following incidents across southern New England.

According to a statement from police, after an extensive, ongoing multijurisdictional investigation, Det. Dennis Tavares of the Mattapoisett Police Department arrested 38-year-old Nicu Vasile Ardel of Romania, on charges of Larceny and Credit Card Forgery along with Identity Fraud.

Throughout the month of November, Det. Tavares investigated multiple reports of unauthorized ATM withdrawals. During the investigation, it was determined that an unknown individual was using cloned debit cards to make withdrawals in Mattapoisett and banks throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Through his investigative efforts, Det. Tavares identified Ardel as one of the suspects involved. It is believed that Ardel is part of a larger organization responsible for deploying credit card skimming devices and producing forged credit and ATM cards.

In collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security, the Fairhaven Police Department, and the North Providence Police Department, detectives were able to determine that Ardel had been traveling in the New York and Delaware areas.

On Thursday, Ardel was taken into custody by North Providence Police as he crossed into Rhode Island from the New York area. Det. Tavares obtained a fugitive-from-justice warrant, and Ardel was subsequently extradited back to Massachusetts by detectives from the Mattapoisett and Fairhaven Police Departments. Ardel was booked and bail was set at $50,000. He will remain in the custody of the Mattapoisett Police Department, awaiting bail or arraignment in Wareham 4th District Court.

MPD wanted to remind everyone to be vigilant. Credit card and bank fraud is on the rise, so regularly monitor your accounts and report any suspicious activity immediately.

All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty.