“Kudos to the law enforcement officers who are working to protect against EBT fraud and the use of skimming devices to steal from others.  This work helps to protect public funds and those who rely on them to feed their families.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

KERN COUNTY – On March 1-2, 2025, investigators from the Kern County District Attorney’s Office and the California Department of Social Services EBT Fraud and Theft Detection Unit conducted a sting operation targeting individuals using skimming devices and fraudulent EBT cards to conduct fraudulent ATM withdrawals in Kern County.

Investigators were monitoring EBT activity in the Delano area and identified a subject fraudulently withdrawing funds from an ATM. Investigators immediately responded to the area and arrested Bogdan Boceanu, 23, for several felony charges including grand theft, fraudulent use of access card, identity theft, possession of burglary tools, counterfeited transfer of EBT benefits and driving without a valid license. Investigators located and seized 36 cloned EBT cards and cash totaling $4,030.

Bogdan had been previously identified by DA Investigators on a previous theft of funds investigation and issued a warrant for his arrest for burglary, attempted grand theft, fraudulent possession of a scanning device, and vandalism. Bogdan was booked into the Lerdo Detention Facility on open charges and his outstanding warrant.

A report shows that fraud has decreased significantly in Kern County since the DA’s efforts in combating this crime through its operations. Through these operations, fraud has decreased from approximately $875,000 in October of 2024 down to $159,008 in February 2025.