Romanian national faces sentencing in Las Cruces for $1.8 million fraud scheme
A Romanian national is scheduled for sentencing in Las Cruces after admitting he helped conceal $1.8 million stolen through fake business websites.
Prosecutors say Claudiu Pesteleu helped route victims’ payments through sham businesses created with false identity documents
Organ Mountain News report
ALBUQUERQUE - A Romanian national is scheduled for sentencing Thursday in Las Cruces after admitting he helped conceal about $1.8 million stolen from consumers through fake websites that impersonated legitimate businesses, federal prosecutors said.
Claudiu Pesteleu, 44, is scheduled to appear at 9:40 a.m. Thursday, June 4, before U.S. District Judge Robert C. Brack. Prosecutors said the parties expect to present a revised plea agreement calling for 30 to 39 months in prison.
Brack will decide whether to accept the agreement and impose a sentence under its terms.
Organ Mountain News
In his plea agreement, Pesteleu admitted participating in a nationwide fraud scheme from May 2023 through June 2024. The scheme used fake business websites to trick people into wiring money for consumer products, including vehicles and equipment, prosecutors said.
Victims believed they were paying legitimate businesses, but their money instead went to bank accounts tied to shell companies created with false passports and other fraudulent identity documents, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico.
Prosecutors said Pesteleu helped conceal the stolen money by obtaining false identity documents, establishing sham businesses and opening bank accounts for those companies.
The entities and aliases included Zammer Equipment LLC under the name Matthias Zammer, Super Exotic Deals LLC under Samuel Der Saar, Premier E. Liquidators LLC under Fred Laport, Adler Pre Owned LLC under Boris Adler, Bittman Motors LLC under Fritz Bittman, Nikkos Cargo LLC under Nikos Adonis and Becker Automotive LLC under Karl Becker. Prosecutors said Pesteleu also used the alias Thomas Muller.
About $1.8 million in fraudulently obtained funds was wired to bank accounts controlled by Pesteleu, prosecutors said. He then conducted financial transactions intended to conceal the source of the money and make it harder for law enforcement to identify the scheme and seize the proceeds, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors described Pesteleu as a Romanian national who is unlawfully present in the United States.
Anyone who believes they were a victim may contact the Homeland Security Investigations tip line at 866-347-2423.
People who want to attend the sentencing hearing may contact Victim Specialist Jacquie Gutierrez at 575-522-2304 before the hearing date for more information.
Homeland Security Investigations Deming investigated the 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.
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