A debit card swap scheme that reached Carlsbad Wells Fargo customers has caused an estimated $120,000 in losses across Southern California, according to Hoodline, citing CBS8.

Two Los Angeles County men, Sergio Romero, 40, and Franklin Florez, 31, were arrested Wednesday, Aug. 26, in connection with the fraud ring. Deputies with the San Diego County Sheriff's Office and the San Diego Fugitive Task Force tracked them to Lemon Grove following another suspected incident, Patch reported. As we reported Aug. 28, the Carlsbad Police Department is investigating similar incidents locally.

Both men pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges and are scheduled to return to court Thursday, Sept. 3.

How the scheme worked

The suspects allegedly waited in Wells Fargo parking lots for as long as 45 minutes, watching customers enter their PINs at ATMs, according to Hoodline. They would then approach a customer, offer to help with the machine and secretly swap the victim's card for a fake one.

The victims rarely noticed.

San Diego County Sheriff's Detective Aaron Catanach said victims "usually did not check whether the card handed back to them was actually theirs," and the theft often went unnoticed until money began disappearing from accounts.

The investigation began in May after several people reported being targeted at Wells Fargo branches and ATMs in Lemon Grove. At least five victims there, including two elderly people ranging in age from about 60 to 80, lost a combined $5,990, according to Patch, citing the sheriff's office. Individual losses ranged from $100 to more than $2,700.

Incidents span three counties

Automated license plate readers helped investigators link the pair to roughly 15 similar crimes across San Diego County, according to Hoodline. Wells Fargo fraud officials separately connected them to about 15 more incidents in Orange and Los Angeles counties.

The San Diego, Chula Vista and Carlsbad police departments are all investigating related cases, according to Patch. No Carlsbad-specific victim count or loss figure has been released.

Romero was booked on charges including elder fraud, robbery, identity theft, grand theft and resisting a peace officer. Florez faces charges of robbery, identity theft and conspiracy.

A judge ordered that the men's faces not be shown in media coverage of their court appearances.

How to protect yourself

Detective Catanach urged ATM users to shield their PINs and stay alert for anyone watching over their shoulder while withdrawing cash. Authorities also recommend checking that the card returned to you is yours before leaving an ATM.

Carlsbad residents who believe they may have been targeted can contact the Carlsbad Police Department at (442) 339-2197 or [email protected].