Maria Roza Tomescu, a Romanian citizen residing illegally in the United States, was sentenced on April 29 to 28 months in federal prison for her involvement in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft related to Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
The case highlights the vulnerability of public assistance programs like SNAP, which provide essential food support to low-income families. According to authorities, Tomescu and her co-conspirators used skimming devices and other means to obtain Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) information from victims across several states including Maryland, California, Kentucky, Tennessee, and New York.
According to her plea agreement, Tomescu played a direct role by acting as a diversion while skimming devices were installed at retail locations such as a Columbia Wal-Mart and a Laurel 7-Eleven. She later used stolen EBT card data at stores like Sam’s Club in Severn, Maryland. Law enforcement discovered that she also opened bank accounts using false identification documents and deposited checks meant for churches into those accounts. The total fraudulent funds obtained by Tomescu amounted to $7,457.50.
At least 15 victims were left without access to their SNAP benefits until funds were replenished the following month due to this scheme. The overall loss attributed to the conspiracy within Maryland is estimated at approximately $343,756.
Judge Julie R. Rubin previously sentenced another co-conspirator, Fabritio Sardaru—also an illegal alien from Romania—to two years in prison for his involvement in the same scheme. U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes said: "I commend the USDA-OIG, MCPD, HCPD and our partners for their work investigating this case." Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Higgins who prosecuted it.
The Department of Justice announced on April 7 the creation of its National Fraud Enforcement Division with the mission "to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars." This effort supports President Trump’s Task Force chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance aimed at eliminating fraud within federal benefit programs.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland is part of the U.S. Department of Justice according to its official website. The office serves nearly six million residents across Maryland according to its official website and employs over 200 personnel across civil, criminal and administrative divisions according to its official website. It prosecutes federal crimes such as fraud schemes impacting government programs according to its official website, handles civil cases for the government according to its official website, collects debts owed by individuals or corporations according to its official website, enhances quality of life through effective justice administration according to its official website, counts alumni among prominent government leaders according to its official website, partners with law enforcement agencies throughout Maryland a href='https://www.justice.gov/usao-md'official website/a".
For more information about reporting fraud or about priorities of this office visit justice.gov/usao-md.
