Scam suspects face language barriers
(CNS): A woman and three men accused of cloning credit cards and using them to withdraw cash from ATM machines appeared in court Friday but their case could not advance as there were no official interpreters. Roland Pop (39), who is Hungarian, as well as Ianacu Bogdan Vlismas (38), Florin Roata (42) and Mariana Oprinoiu (33), who are all Romanian, are charged with conspiracy to defraud the local high street banks after allegedly withdrawing $115,000 in cash between the 10 and 17 December. However, they all speak only limited English.
The case was transmitted from Summary Court in December because of the conspiracy charges and all four are currently in custody.
The three men appeared via video link from HMP Northward and seemed calm if somewhat confused. But the female defendant, who appeared in person, looked utterly terrified as well as confused as she sat in the dock and wept throughout the proceedings. She was assisted with an unofficial Spanish interpreter because, although Romanian, the woman is a fluent Spanish speaker.
The group arrived in Cayman on visitors’ visas and are alleged to have used the cloned cards in various high street ATM machines. The case was adjourned until 23 January.
