Sep 5, 2025
Everything seems to be digital these days — even the scams.
The news is filled with stories of identity theft, data breaches and new, sophisticated phishing techniques on a near-daily basis.
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So when Jonathan Hogue of Plano, Texas, went to get some cash at the ATM, the last thing he suspected was that he’d be the victim of a pre-digital, brick-and-mortar scheme.
“It just really made me mad I got stolen from,” Hogue told ABC News in Dallas [1]. “It’s just an example of somebody out there not caring about other people.”
Hogue was a victim of a crude form of financial crime known as “cash-trapping.”
It’s a wake-up call for all Americans: despite the digital-first world we live in, scammers aren’t giving up on tried-and-true in-person stealing.
Plano ATM scheme cost him hundreds of dollars
Hogue went to withdraw money from a Bank of America ATM on Preston Road in Plano on July 20. But after he inserted his card and followed the instructions on the machine, he never got his cash.
Yes, he could hear the whirl of the machinery working, but the money never came out.
He tried a second time to make the withdrawal before he left the ATM in frustration. All told, he was $700 out of pocket.
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Hogue was later encouraged by his boss to file a police report, which he did.
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How cash-trapping works
Plano police arrested Ionut Aurel Iova, a Romanian national with a lengthy criminal history, as the suspected perpetrator.
Police allege that Iova Iova had attached a device to the ATM’s money dispenser, blocking cash from reaching Hogue’s hands.
“The devices [fit] perfectly over the dispenser mechanism of the ATM,” said Det. Jerry Minton of the Plano police department. “It’s attached by a double-sided tape or similar substance, and it has a special tool that is handmade by the perpetrator to remove the device.”
“I’m ecstatic he was caught,” said Hogue. “This guy does not deserve to be walking around on the streets.”
According to officers, Iova staked out the ATM, hoping to quickly pocket the stolen money.
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“He was waiting for the victims to leave,” said Minton. “Then he’d come in behind them, take the device off, remove the cash and either put the device back on or walk away.”
Iova has an extensive criminal record, according to police, including previous arrests in Plano and Lewisville, Texas, and is wanted in Maryland, Hungary and Canada, where he has a whopping 56 outstanding warrants [2].
Another Plano victim, Ray McCormick, lost $100 to the scheme.
“The cash didn’t come out,” he told NBC 5 Dallas. “I was bewildered and surprised as well.”
How can you protect yourself
Cash-trapping is similar to, but different from, two other popular ATM scams: skimming and shimming.
These schemes involve a device installed over (or into) the card reading slot to capture data from the victim’s card's magnetic stripe and chip.
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In general, to avoid ATM schemes like the one Jonathan Hogue encountered in Plano, follow the S.A.F.E. protocol.
- Select ATMs located in well-lit, high-traffic areas and avoid machines with graffiti, dirt or grime.
- Always shield your PIN while entering and inspect the ATM for loose parts near the card reader or skimmers. Alert store security or personnel if you see something suspicious.
- Focus on your surroundings and avoid accepting assistance from strangers.
- Enable transaction alerts to stay notified of all transactions made on your card, and ensure your card is in your possession at all times [3].
Remember: if you see something — say something. Inform the store or bank staff, or contact your local police department, to report the incident.
Article sources
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[1]. WFAA Dallas. “North Texas man loses money to cash trapping scheme”
[2]. 5 NBC DFW. “ATM ‘cash trapping' fraud in Plano leads to arrest of international fugitive”
[3]. The Statement. “Don’t fall victim to ATM fraud”
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Cory Santos is a finance writer, editor and credit card expert with over seven years of experience in personal finance. Having lived and worked worldwide, Cory now calls South Florida home, helping consumers find their ideal credit card and offering impartial and approachable advice to help them navigate their best financial lives. Cory joined Wise Publishing from BestCards, with bylines in numerous digital publications across North America, including AOL, MSN, Yahoo Finance, the Miami Herald, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and more. When he isn't scouring for the latest credit card deals and offers, Cory can be found working on his various historical research projects, jogging, or hanging out with his cats, Bentley, Cougar, and Pumpkin.
