ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Claudiu Pesteleu, 43, a Romanian national illegally present in the United States, is scheduled to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud on October 16, 2025, at 1:30 pm. The plea comes after a year-long investigation into a nationwide scheme that preyed on unsuspecting consumers.
Pesteleu wasn’t directly ripping off victims face-to-face. He was a key cog in a sophisticated operation that built a digital house of cards. The scheme revolved around creating convincing fake websites, mimicking legitimate businesses selling everything from cars to industrial equipment. Victims, believing they were making genuine purchases, wired funds directly into accounts controlled by Pesteleu and his associates.
Between May 2023 and June 2024, Pesteleu specialized in laundering the stolen money. He didn’t just hold the funds; he actively obscured their origin, creating layers of financial transactions designed to evade law enforcement and prevent seizure. His methods involved establishing a network of shell companies built on entirely fabricated identities. These included Zammer Equipment LLC (under the alias Matthias Zammer), Super Exotic Deals LLC (Samuel Der Saar), Premier E. Liquidators LLC (Fred Laport), Adler Pre Owned LLC (Boris Adler), and Bittman Motors LLC (Fritz Bittman). Pesteleu also operated under the alias Thomas Muller.
The scale of the fraud is significant. Approximately $1,800,000.00 in fraudulently obtained funds flowed through bank accounts Pesteleu controlled. This wasn’t a small-time operation; it was a calculated, organized effort to systematically defraud consumers across the country. The use of false passports and identity documents underscores the lengths to which these criminals went to conceal their activities.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led the investigation, with crucial support from the Gainesville, Florida Police Department. Las Cruces Criminal Chief Richard Williams and Assistant U.S. Attorney Grant Gardner are prosecuting the case, seeking to hold Pesteleu accountable for his role in this elaborate fraud. Anyone believing they were a victim is urged to contact the HSI tipline at 866-347-2423.
Victims or potential victims wishing to attend the plea hearing on October 16, 2025, at 1:30 pm, or with questions, should contact Victim Specialist Jacquie Gutierrez at (575) 522-2304 before the hearing date. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of online fraud and the importance of vigilance when making online purchases.
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Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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