A Romanian national has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to bank fraud, illegal reentry into the United States, and asylum fraud. Marius Marian, 39, admitted to obtaining over $500,000 in Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) funds through fraudulent means.
According to court documents, between March 2, 2024, and June 3, 2025, Marian used skimmer devices on ATMs and point of sale machines to collect EBT account information from more than 601 victims. He then encoded this data onto counterfeit bank cards and withdrew funds from ATMs across Northern California. The EBT benefits involved are federal funds distributed by the California Department of Social Services to individuals in need within the state.
Marian’s actions resulted in $507,916 being withdrawn in cash with an intent to withdraw a total of $611,845. He acknowledged that his scheme used sophisticated methods and caused significant financial hardship for at least 25 victims.
In addition to the bank fraud charge, Marian admitted that he knowingly made false statements on an asylum application submitted on or around April 27, 2023. Specifically, he failed to disclose prior deportation from the United States and a previous conviction for bank fraud in 2019.
Marian also acknowledged that after being deported following his 2019 conviction for bank fraud, he illegally reentered the United States.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian; FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani; Michael Diamond of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (San Francisco Field Office); Shawn Dionida of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General; and ICE Field Office Director Sergio Albarran.
“United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian, FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani, U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), San Francisco Field Office, Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Diamond, Special Agent-in-Charge Shawn Dionida, U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General (USDA OIG), and ICE Field Office Director Sergio Albarran made the announcement.”
Marian remains in federal custody as he awaits sentencing scheduled for October 20, 2025 before U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin. The maximum penalties include up to 30 years imprisonment and a $1 million fine for bank fraud; up to 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for illegal reentry following an aggravated felony conviction; and up to 20 years imprisonment with a $250,000 fine for asylum fraud.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily R. Dahlke is prosecuting the case with assistance from Alycee Lane and Amala James. The investigation was conducted by the FBI along with DSS, USDA OIG, and ICE.
