New Orleans, Louisiana – The grimy streets of New Orleans saw a familiar face in the dock this week. Romanian national Andrei Fagaras, 35, stood guilty before the court for his role in a brazen credit card skimming operation that struck fear into local merchants and consumers alike.
Fagaras, along with two accomplices, were caught red-handed installing sophisticated skimmers on point-of-sale machines at three retail locations within Louisiana’s Eastern District. Their criminal enterprise was part of Operation Take Back America, a fierce nationwide effort to dismantle transnational criminal organizations and protect American communities from violence and financial exploitation.
The evidence against Fagaras was overwhelming, with court documents detailing his possession of device-making equipment on November 13 and 14, 2024. Now, the justice system is poised to mete out its severest punishment for this heist kingpin. If convicted, Fagaras faces a maximum sentence of fifteen years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 per count.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson lauded the hard work of agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, and New Orleans Police Department in bringing Fagaras to justice. Assistant United States Attorney Christine M. Calogero is spearheading the prosecution.
As the city reflects on this victory against cybercrime, it remains a stark reminder of the relentless pursuit of justice that Operation Take Back America and its partners are waging across the nation.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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