A network for skimming and cloning fuel cards used in European retail chains has been neutralized in a joint operation of the Bulgarian and Romanian law enforcement authorities; a financial fraud worth thousands of euros related to refueling through manipulated payment instruments being revealed.
The joint investigation, codenamed ‘JI SECURE PAY’, has been conducted since mid-last year under the coordination of SELEC.
According to the investigation, in the period April 2025 – February 2026, the members of the organized crime group have installed skimming devices at self-service petrol stations in Romania and other European Union countries.
The copied data from the fuel cards was used to create fake payment instruments, the illegal activity causing significant financial damage to citizens and companies.
In Bulgaria, two individuals were detained in an operation carried out on 18 June 2026 in pursuance of a European Investigation Order issued by the Romanian authorities. During the actions, searches were carried out at five addresses and one car on the territory of Sofia and Yambol. Two other members of the criminal group have already been detained and handed over to Romanian authorities in March.
Joint operational activities are still ongoing in this case.
