Fabritio Sardaru, a 22-year-old citizen of Romania and Ireland residing illegally in the United States, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft related to Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin handed down the sentence following Sardaru’s guilty plea. According to court documents, Sardaru participated with others in a scheme that targeted recipients of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits across several states, including Maryland, California, Kentucky, Tennessee, and New York. The group used skimming devices at point-of-sale terminals in commercial establishments to collect EBT card information from victims.
The co-conspirators played different roles within the operation: some acquired or shipped skimming equipment while others installed or removed it at retail locations. They monitored activity at these sites and used stolen data to create cloned EBT cards containing victims’ personal information. These cloned cards were then used to purchase large quantities of bulk items.
On July 21, 2022, Sardaru fraudulently obtained $8,770.03 by using cloned EBT cards with a co-conspirator to buy 11 cans of baby formula at grocery stores in Howard and Montgomery Counties. Later that day, Montgomery County Police Department officers stopped the vehicle Sardaru was driving and discovered approximately 353 cans of baby formula inside.
The fraudulent activities led to significant losses for SNAP beneficiaries; at least 15 victims were unable to access food until their benefits were replenished the following month. The total loss attributed to this conspiracy in Maryland is estimated at about $343,756.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes praised the investigative efforts of the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG), Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), Howard County Police Department (HCPD), as well as assistance from the Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Higgins prosecuted the case.
"U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the USDA-OIG, MCPD, and HCPD for their work in the investigation, along with the Maryland Department of Human Services, Office of Inspector General, for their valuable assistance."
"Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Higgins who prosecuted the case."
For further details on reporting fraud or learning more about priorities set by the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, resources are available on its official website: https://www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.
