A Romanian national has been sentenced to two years in prison for orchestrating a series of sleight-of-hand frauds at Walmart stores across the United States, according to federal authorities.
U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp handed down the sentence on Thursday to Suras Rostas, 22, after he admitted to conducting at least 45 fraudulent transactions between April 2023 and October 2024. The scheme spanned at least 18 states and resulted in losses totaling more than $130,000 in money and property.
According to court records, Rostas entered the U.S. illegally in 2023 and began targeting Walmart locations soon after his arrival. During each transaction, he would count out cash in front of store employees but then use sleight-of-hand techniques—sometimes aided by an accomplice who distracted the cashier—to pocket some of the bills before completing purchases or money transfers. If questioned by staff, Rostas repeated his tactics until cashiers accepted the payment without recounting it. He often returned merchandise for full refunds after these incidents.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Ladendorf stated during sentencing that despite multiple arrests and convictions, “he kept doing it.” Ladendorf noted that this case is one of four similar prosecutions underway because major retailers have sought assistance due to significant financial losses from such schemes.
Judge Schelp ordered Rostas to pay $135,290 in restitution to Walmart and ruled that his prison term will be served consecutively with sentences from pending cases in Idaho, Arkansas, Florida, and St. Louis County, Missouri.
During the hearing, Judge Schelp addressed Rostas directly: “Frankly, I don’t appreciate your disdain for America and American laws.”
Rostas pleaded guilty in September to two counts of wire fraud.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations division, along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Arnold Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Ladendorf prosecuted the case.
