ST. LOUIS – In a brazen scheme that spanned 22 states, a Romanian national was sentenced to 21 months in prison for wire fraud, leaving a trail of deceit and financial ruin in his wake.
Bobi Covaciu, 39, used ‘sleight-of-hand’ tactics to trick cashiers into believing he had paid the full amount for purchases, when in reality he would pocket hundreds of dollars in cash.
Covaciu’s scheme, which began as early as December 2016, just one month after he illegally entered the U.S., netted him a staggering $196,220 in money and property across 90 fraudulent transactions from February 2022 to September 2024.
The scheme, which was uncovered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, saw Covaciu return merchandise to a different store for a full cash refund, leaving the retailer with significant losses.
Covaciu pleaded guilty in December to one count of wire fraud in U.S. District Court in St. Louis, bringing an end to a lengthy investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Ladendorf prosecuted the case, which highlighted the ease with which individuals can exploit the system for personal gain.
Covaciu will be deported after his release from prison, bringing an end to a chapter of deceit and financial manipulation that has left a trail of devastation in its wake.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and due diligence in preventing such schemes from occurring in the future.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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