Italian police in Pavia have arrested a 33-year-old man who was the subject of an international arrest warrant issued by the United States. The suspect, accused of being part of a criminal organization responsible for multiple fraud schemes in 2023 and 2024, had been hiding in his girlfriend’s apartment.

The man, of Romanian origin, was wanted by U.S. authorities for violations of the Federal Criminal Code and faces several charges carrying potential sentences of five, ten and two years in prison. The warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.

According to prosecutors, the gang stole more than 500,000 dollars from federal funds using the technique known as “ATM skimming.” By inserting electronic devices into cash machines, they were able to capture card numbers and PIN codes from debit cards distributed by the government to low-income recipients for welfare benefits and food assistance.

Using this data, the group produced counterfeit cards linked to victims’ accounts and withdrew cash from multiple ATMs across California. The suspect arrested in Pavia will now be extradited to the United States to face trial.