GARDEN GROVE, CA — The Garden Grove Police Department, in collaboration with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the San Bernardino County Social Services Special Investigations Unit, recently concluded a two-day joint operation targeting organized Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) fraud. The operation focused on activities associated with transnational criminal organizations.
Among those targeted was 18-year-old Andrei Nicolae, for whom the Orange County District Attorney’s Office issued an arrest warrant on March 31, 2026. Nicolae faces 45 felony charges related to the theft of government benefits and was taken into custody on April 2, 2026.
The multi-agency effort resulted in the arrest of six additional individuals suspected of involvement in organized retail theft, fraud, and the theft of public assistance benefits. According to officials, two of the subjects had multiple extraditable felony warrants from out of state and are believed to be linked to local residential burglaries. Another individual was found in possession of stolen retail property valued at over $5,000.
Law enforcement agencies stated that no further details will be released at this time to maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigations. Representatives from the Garden Grove Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office emphasized their commitment to protecting public assistance programs and ensuring that benefits remain available to those who rely on them.
