ALBUQUERQUE, NM – A Romanian national, Claudiu Pesteleu, is scheduled to enter a guilty plea today, October 16, 2025, for his role in a sophisticated nationwide wire fraud scheme that defrauded consumers of approximately $1.8 million. The plea agreement is set for 1:30 pm in U.S. District Court.
Pesteleu, 43, who is illegally present in the United States, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. His participation in the extensive criminal enterprise spanned from May 2023 through June 2024. The scheme involved the creation of fraudulent websites designed to impersonate legitimate businesses, tricking unsuspecting victims into wiring funds for goods they would never receive.
A Nationwide Web of Deceit
The core of the fraud involved creating fake online storefronts that appeared to be selling high-value items such as vehicles and heavy equipment. Customers, believing they were making legitimate purchases, were directed to transfer funds into bank accounts controlled by Pesteleu. These accounts were set up under the names of shell companies, which Pesteleu himself organized using fabricated foreign passports and identity documents. The funds were then systematically funneled through numerous financial transactions, a tactic employed to obscure the source of the money and hinder law enforcement efforts to trace and seize the illicit proceeds.
Pesteleu operated under several aliases, including Matthias Zammer, Samuel Der Saar, Fred Laport, Boris Adler, Fritz Bittman, and Thomas Muller. The shell companies he established include Zammer Equipment LLC, Super Exotic Deals LLC, Premier E. Liquidators LLC, Adler Pre Owned LLC, and Bittman Motors LLC. By setting up these entities and their associated bank accounts, Pesteleu played a critical role in obtaining and concealing the fraudulently obtained funds.
Justice Department’s Vigorous Pursuit
The investigation into this intricate fraud was spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations, with crucial assistance from the Gainesville, Florida Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Las Cruces Criminal Chief Richard Williams and Assistant U.S. Attorney Grant Gardner. This action underscores the U.S. Department of Justice’s commitment to combating transnational crime and protecting American consumers from fraudulent schemes.
Broader Enforcement Landscape
Pesteleu’s plea occurs amidst a period of heightened activity from the U.S. Department of Justice, which has recently announced actions across a spectrum of criminal matters. Just this week, press releases from the department have detailed indictments related to devastating wildfires, prosecutions for assaults on federal officers, and deferred prosecution agreements for prominent cryptocurrency investors. Notably, the DOJ has also recently unsealed indictments against individuals involved in large-scale international fraud, including a significant case involving forced-labor scam compounds and cryptocurrency fraud, resulting in the forfeiture of billions of dollars in Bitcoin. These varied enforcement actions highlight the department’s broad mandate in addressing crime and ensuring justice.
Information for Victims
Individuals who believe they may have been a victim of Claudiu Pesteleu’s fraud scheme are urged to contact the Homeland Security Investigations tipline at 866-347-2423. For those who wish to attend the plea hearing on October 16, 2025, or have questions, Victim Specialist Jacquie Gutierrez can be reached at (575) 522-2304 prior to the hearing for more information.
