A federal grand jury has indicted Romanian nationals Bogdan Alexandru Gherghevici, 26, and Viorel Cristea, 33, on charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The indictment alleges that between March and May 2025, the two men engaged in a scheme involving the sale of fictitious farming equipment to victims across the United States. The losses from this scheme reportedly exceeded $600,000.
Acting U.S. Attorney Tara M. Lyons for the Southern District of Georgia and Special Agent in Charge Steven Schrank of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Atlanta Field Office announced the charges.
“This case highlights the commitment of Homeland Security Investigations to aggressively pursue individuals who exploit others through fraudulent schemes,” said Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama Steven N. Schrank. “The defendants allegedly orchestrated a complex operation targeting victims nationwide, resulting in significant financial losses. HSI will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to ensure those who engage in such criminal activities are held accountable and brought to justice.”
If convicted, Gherghevici and Cristea each face up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud charge, along with a mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft that would run consecutively to any other sentence imposed. Sentencing decisions will be made by a federal district court judge after considering relevant guidelines and statutory factors.
The HSI Savannah Field Office is leading the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Bondura is prosecuting the case.
Authorities emphasized that an indictment is only an allegation and that both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.