Romanian National to be Sentenced for Participation in Fraud Scheme

ALBUQUERQUE - A Romanian national who participated in a large-scale fraud scheme that used fake business websites to steal more than $1.8 million from consumers across the country is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on June 4, 2026, at 9:40 a.m. in Las Cruces.

In his plea agreement, Claudiu Pesteleu, 44, a Romanian national illegally present in the United States, admitted that from May 2023 through June 2024, he participated in a nationwide fraud scheme that used fake websites impersonating legitimate businesses to trick victims into wiring money for various consumer products, including cars and equipment. Victims believed they were making legitimate purchases, but the funds were instead directed to bank accounts associated with shell companies created using fake passports and other fraudulent identity documents.

Pesteleu, whose role in the scheme was to help conceal the fraudulently obtained money, obtained fake identity documents and used them to establish sham businesses. He then opened bank accounts for these shell companies using the fraudulent documents. These shell companies and aliases included Zammer Equipment LLC (Matthias Zammer), Super Exotic Deals LLC (Samuel Der Saar), Premier E. Liquidators LLC (Fred Laport), Adler Pre Owned LLC (Boris Adler), Bittman Motors LLC (Fritz Bittman), Nikkos Cargo LLC (Nikos Adonis), and Becker Automotive LLC (Karl Becker). Pesteleu also used the alias Thomas Muller. Consumers were directed to wire funds to accounts associated with these entities, believing they were purchasing legitimate goods.

In total, approximately $1.8 million in fraudulently obtained funds was wired by victims to bank accounts controlled by Pesteleu. Pesteleu then conducted numerous financial transactions with the money to conceal the source of the funds and hinder law enforcement efforts to identify the scheme and seize the proceeds.

At the June 4 hearing, the parties are expected to present a revised plea agreement that stipulates a sentence of 30 to 39 months of imprisonment. U.S. District Judge Robert C. Brack will determine whether to accept the agreement and sentence Pesteleu in accordance with its terms.

If you believe you were a victim of Pesteleu, please contact the Homeland Security Investigations tip line at 866-347-2423.

If you would like to attend the sentencing hearing, please contact Victim Specialist Jacquie Gutierrez at (575) 522-2304 before the hearing date for more information.

Homeland Security Investigations Deming investigated this case with assistance from the Gainesville, Florida Police Department. Las Cruces Criminal Chief Richard Williams and Assistant U.S. Attorney Grant Gardner are prosecuting the case.