A federal grand jury has indicted two 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 defendants carried out a scheme in which they pretended to do business in the Southern District of Georgia. They are accused of selling fake farming equipment to victims across the United States, resulting in losses exceeding $600,000.
The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Tara M. Lyons for the Southern District of Georgia and Special Agent in Charge Steven Schrank of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Atlanta Field Office.
“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 face up to 20 years in prison for each wire fraud charge as well as a mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft that would run consecutively with any other sentence imposed. Sentencing decisions will be made by a federal district court judge after considering applicable guidelines and statutory factors.
The investigation is being conducted by HSI’s Savannah Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Bondura is prosecuting the case for the Southern District of Georgia.
Authorities remind that an indictment is only an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
