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Grimy Times Exclusive: Local Man Sentenced in International Online Scam
A Nashville jury has just delivered a guilty verdict in the case of Vlad Diaconu, a 36-year-old Romanian man accused of participating in an international fraud scheme involving online marketplace websites. Diaconu, who hails from Bucharest, Romania, was extradited from his home country to Tennessee in August 2016.
According to court documents, Diaconu was part of a group of individuals who listed vehicles for sale on online marketplaces such as eBay, only to scam unsuspecting buyers out of thousands of dollars. When victims expressed interest in purchasing the vehicles, the scammers would respond with emails directing the victims to wire payments to specified bank accounts.
These bank accounts were opened by members of the conspiracy, including Diaconu, who used false identities and fraudulent documents, including counterfeit passports. Specifically, twelve victims sent a total of $184,900 to accounts that were opened by Diaconu under the belief that they were purchasing the advertised vehicles, and other victims sent additional funds to bank accounts opened by co-conspirators.
As a result of the scheme, victims were left out of pocket a whopping $873,000. Diaconu and his co-conspirators subsequently sent the bulk of the victims’ funds to co-conspirators located overseas.
The FBI and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron M. Jones of the Middle District of Tennessee and Senior Counsel Mysti Degani of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.
Vlad Diaconu pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. Acting U.S. Attorney Jack Smith of the Middle District of Tennessee and Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division announced the guilty plea.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online scams and the importance of being vigilant when engaging in online transactions. As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving world of online commerce, it is crucial that we stay one step ahead of these scammers and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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