News Summary
In Lexington, two men, Sergiu Railean and Fernando Perez, were arrested facing over 100 counts of forgery linked to fraudulent debit card activities. The arrests followed an investigation triggered by suspicious ATM transactions. Railean was found with five forged debit cards and a significant amount of cash, while Perez possessed 37 fraudulent cards. The Financial Crimes Unit continues to monitor and investigate the growing concern of financial crimes in the community.
Lexington, Kentucky – Two men were arrested by the Lexington Police Department on Monday, facing over 100 counts of forgery linked to fraudulent debit card activities. The suspects, 52-year-old Sergiu Railean and 54-year-old Fernando Perez, were apprehended following an investigation into multiple suspicious transactions at local ATMs.
The charges against both men arise from the use of fake debit cards during transactions, with the Financial Crimes Unit of the Lexington Police starting its inquiry after alarming reports received between June and July 2025. The investigation led to the discovery of a significant number of forged cards, pointing to a sophisticated scheme targeting unsuspecting financial institutions.
Authorities were alerted to the fraudulent activities when surveillance footage captured a suspect vehicle engaged in a unauthorized transaction at a CVS store. This footage was crucial in identifying Railean, who, upon police examination of the vehicle, was found to be in possession of five altered credit or debit cards. Additionally, the police seized a total of 111 falsely made or embossed cards along with cash amounting to $12,105 from Railean’s vehicle.
During the investigation, Perez was also found with 37 fraudulent cards, underscoring the scale of their operations. Railean is facing serious charges including fraudulent use of a credit card, 112 counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, false making or embossing of credit cards, and first-degree unlawful access to a computer. On the other hand, Perez’s charges include 148 counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, false making or embossing of credit cards, along with a pending warrant from out-of-state.
The ramifications of these arrests are significant as they highlight a growing concern regarding financial crimes in the community. The Financial Crimes Unit within the Lexington Police Department is continuing to monitor the situation and investigate any further leads that may arise from the ongoing case. This type of criminal activity poses threats not only to financial institutions but also erodes community trust in economic systems.
In recent years, the emergence of advanced technology has enhanced both the security measures of financial institutions and the tactics employed by criminals. Instances of forgery and the distribution of counterfeit cards have surged, prompting law enforcement agencies nationwide to intensify their efforts in combating these crimes. The arrest of Railean and Perez serves as a crucial removal of individuals engaged in such schemes, thus protecting the public from potential financial losses.
The Lexington Police Department encourages the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity that may resemble fraudulent transactions. Individuals are advised to monitor their bank accounts regularly for unauthorized withdrawals or charges and to report any discrepancies as soon as possible. The department is dedicated to ensuring the safety and economic integrity of the community and committing resources toward preventing and addressing financial crimes.
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Additional Resources
- Lex18 News
- Wikipedia: Fraud
- Fox 56 News
- Google Search: ATM Fraud Prevention
- Kentucky.com
- Google Scholar: Financial Crimes
- Kentucky Today
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Credit Card Fraud
- WKYT News
- Google News: Credit Card Fraud Arrests
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
