Two Los Angeles men accused of swapping out elderly bank customers’ debit cards at ATMs across Lemon Grove now face felony charges after detectives say they bilked at least five local victims out of nearly $6,000. Sergio Romero, 40, and Franklin Florez, 31, allegedly waited in bank parking lots for as long as 45 minutes while scouting for their next target, watching victims punch in their PINs before offering to help and secretly swapping in a fake card.
According to a news release from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, Romero was booked on charges including elder fraud, robbery, identity theft, grand theft, and resisting or obstructing a peace officer, while Florez was booked on robbery, identity theft, and conspiracy. Florez was apprehended with help from the San Diego Fugitive Task Force. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the multiple felony charges, as reported by Fox 5 San Diego, and are scheduled to return to court on September 3.
Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Substation detectives opened the investigation in May after fielding reports of ATM thefts targeting elderly residents, per the same account. Investigators say the suspects used stolen debit cards and PINs to withdraw cash from multiple ATMs, and the five identified Lemon Grove victims ranged in age from about 60 to about 80, with losses per victim running between $100 and more than $2,700.
How the Card-Swap Trick Worked
San Diego County Sheriff’s Detective Aaron Catanach said victims usually did not check whether the card handed back to them was actually theirs, letting the scheme go unnoticed until money started disappearing from their accounts. Similar crimes played out in Chula Vista, Carlsbad, and San Diego, the outlet’s report notes, with victims mostly older adults over 60. Catanach urged ATM users to shield their PINs and stay alert for anyone looking over their shoulder while withdrawing cash…