Non-U.S. citizens indicted in alleged skimming operation in Mint Hill

MINT HILL, N.C. — Two men ran an elaborate ATM skimming operation in Mint Hill, according to court documents.

The suspects also had a small, pinhole camera watching customers punch in their PINs.

Roland Toth and Geza Krisztian Horvath allegedly set up a skimming device at the State Employees Credit Union ATM in Mint Hill.

"I think that there is no end in sight of the many ways to scam and thief, and it's sad," customer Bishop Cheen said.

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Toth and Horvath were indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday on skimming and bank fraud charges.

Agents said sometime between Feb. 11 and 13 they placed a skimmer to capture card information and a camera to collect PINs.

Dennis Schoen was not a victim in the case, but he knows the feeling from a prior bad experience.

"Well, it's a little scary 'cause you don't know where the charges come from and what you can do about it," Schoen said.

Police believe the suspects are from eastern Europe. Toth has a Hungarian passport, which is his birth country. Horvath is not a citizen of the U.S., according to paperwork.

Mint Hill police said the case should be a reminder to keep identities secure.

"If at all, possible pay with cash,” Capt. John Rowell said. “If you have to go to the ATM, when you type in your PIN number, cover it with your hand."

Cox Media Group