Claudiu Pesteleu, a 43-year-old Romanian national residing illegally in the United States, is scheduled to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud on October 16, 2025. The plea hearing will take place at 1:30 pm.
Authorities report that Pesteleu participated in a nationwide fraud scheme from May 2023 through June 2024. According to investigators, the scheme involved impersonating legitimate businesses using false websites. Victims were led to believe they were purchasing products such as cars and equipment and subsequently wired money to accounts controlled by shell companies. These shell companies were established with fraudulent foreign passports and identity documents.
Pesteleu’s involvement included obtaining fake identification documents and organizing businesses under assumed names. Shell companies he created included Zammer Equipment LLC (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). He also used the alias Thomas Muller. After establishing these entities, Pesteleu opened bank accounts in their names and directed victims to send funds there, believing they were making legitimate purchases.
Authorities state that approximately $1.8 million was sent by various consumers into accounts controlled by Pesteleu. He then conducted numerous financial transactions with these funds in an effort to make it more difficult for law enforcement officials to detect or seize them.
“If you believe you were a victim of Pesteleu, please contact the Homeland Security Investigations tipline at 866-347-2423.”
Victims or potential victims interested in attending the plea hearing or seeking additional information are advised to contact Victim Specialist Jacquie Gutierrez at (575) 522-2304 before the date of the hearing.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations Deming with support from the Gainesville, Florida Police Department. Las Cruces Criminal Chief Richard Williams and Assistant U.S. Attorney Grant Gardner are prosecuting.
