Man sent to prison for role in ATM skimming scheme

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - A federal judge in New Jersey has sentenced a Chicago man to more than seven years in prison for his role in a long-running ATM skimming scheme that affected thousands of bank customers around the country.

Federal prosecutors say 29-year-old Dinu Horvat was a high-level member of the scheme in which hidden card-reading devices were installed on ATMS throughout New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Florida and elsewhere.

Stolen data were used to create false and fraudulent ATM cards, in which Horvat and others used to withdraw millions of dollars from bank accounts.

The scheme defrauded Citibank, TD Bank, Wells Fargo and other financial institutions of at least $5 million.

The judge on Tuesday also ordered Horvat to pay $7.4 million in restitution.

Thirteen of 16 people charged have pleaded guilty.