A Romanian national is scheduled for sentencing on June 4 in Las Cruces after admitting participation in a nationwide fraud scheme that stole more than $1.8 million from consumers, according to a June 2 announcement.
Claudiu Pesteleu, 44, who was illegally present in the United States, pleaded guilty to his role in a scheme that operated from May 2023 through June 2024. According to his plea agreement, Pesteleu and others used fake websites impersonating legitimate businesses to trick victims into wiring money for products such as cars and equipment. The funds were directed into bank accounts associated with shell companies established using fraudulent identity documents.
Pesteleu admitted he obtained fake identity documents and used them to create sham businesses under various aliases and company names including 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), Becker Automotive LLC (Karl Becker), and also used the alias Thomas Muller. Consumers believed they were making legitimate purchases but instead wired funds directly into these accounts controlled by Pesteleu.
The total amount of fraudulently obtained funds exceeded $1.8 million. Pesteleu conducted multiple financial transactions with these proceeds in an effort to conceal their origin and hinder law enforcement efforts.
At the upcoming hearing, both parties are expected to present a revised plea agreement recommending a sentence of between 30 and 39 months imprisonment. U.S. District Judge Robert C. Brack will decide whether to accept the agreement and impose sentence accordingly.
Individuals who believe they may have been victims are encouraged to contact the Homeland Security Investigations tip line at 866-347-2423 or Victim Specialist Jacquie Gutierrez at (575) 522-2304 for information about attending the sentencing hearing.