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Scammer Exposed: Vlad Diaconu, 36, of Bucharest, Romania, Pleads Guilty to International Online Marketplace Fraud Scheme
A Romanian national has pleaded guilty to participating in an international online marketplace fraud scheme that induced victims to send approximately $873,000 to conspirators for the purchase of various items that were not actually available for purchase. Vlad Diaconu, 36, of Bucharest, Romania, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud in U.S. District Court in Nashville, Tennessee.
According to court documents, Diaconu was part of a scheme that involved fraudulent advertisements on online marketplaces, including eBay. When victims expressed interest in purchasing vehicles listed for sale, the conspirators responded with emails directing the victims to wire payments to specified bank accounts. These bank accounts were opened by members of the conspiracy, including Diaconu, using false identities and fraudulent documents, including counterfeit passports.
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. 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. 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 and prosecuted the case. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs also provided substantial assistance.
Diaconu was extradited from Romania to the Middle District of Tennessee in August 2016, where he pleaded guilty in connection with the scheme. His guilty plea marked a significant blow to the international online marketplace fraud ring, which had been operating for years.
The case serves as a reminder to online marketplace users to be cautious when purchasing items from unknown sellers and to never wire funds directly to a seller without verifying their identity and legitimacy.
Vlad Diaconu’s conviction and sentencing are pending. His guilty plea has brought an end to a significant chapter in the investigation and prosecution of international online marketplace fraud schemes.
Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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