NEW ORLEANS, LA – A brazen scheme to steal financial data from unsuspecting shoppers landed a Romanian national in federal prison for nearly three decades. Doru Adamesc, a/k/a “Petru Golban,” age 33, was sentenced on June 26, 2025, to 27 years behind bars after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit access device fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(b)(2). The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Nannette J. Brown, also includes 3 years of supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
The operation, detailed in court documents, involved Adamesc and a co-conspirator hitting retail establishments across Louisiana in May 2024. While the co-conspirator distracted cashiers, Adamesc covertly installed credit card skimmers on the machines. He was apprehended on June 5, 2024, while attempting to retrieve one of the devices. A search of his vehicle turned up two large magnets – tools of the trade used to activate the Bluetooth capabilities of the skimmers – and evidence of a larger operation.
Authorities discovered a trove of evidence on Adamesc’s cellular phones, including a photo depicting approximately 60 re-encoded gift cards. These cards, investigators believe, were loaded with stolen credit and debit card numbers, intended for fraudulent purchases and withdrawals. Law enforcement also seized six additional skimmers before Adamesc could reclaim them, revealing that the devices had captured data from roughly 421 credit, debit, and Electronic Benefit Transfer (“EBT”) cards – hitting vulnerable citizens hard.
The collaborative investigation, praised by officials, involved the United States Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG), the United States Secret Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department. “Those who are involved in fraud regarding USDA taxpayer funded programs will be investigated by our office and brought to justice to protect the integrity of those programs,” stated USDA-OIG Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Wilkins.
St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith highlighted the teamwork involved. “This case is an excellent example of law enforcement professionals…working together,” he said. “Installing skimming devices to steal innocent people’s financial information is not only illegal — it’s a violation of trust.” Smith emphasized the relentless effort of his team to protect the community.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson commended the combined efforts of the agencies involved. Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit led the prosecution, securing a significant sentence that sends a clear message: exploiting vulnerable systems and stealing from hardworking Americans will not be tolerated. Adamesc’s lengthy prison term underscores the seriousness of access device fraud and the commitment of federal and local authorities to combatting these crimes.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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