ST. LOUIS — Three Romanian residents pleaded responsible to federal expenses in St. Louis and admitted operating a “short-change fraud” in shops throughout the nation following a joint investigation by Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) and Missouri’s Arnold Police Division.
Loredana Angel, 34, pleaded responsible in U.S. District Court docket April 13 to felony expenses of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and unlawful reentry of an alien. Daniel Rostas, 30, pleaded responsible Wednesday, and Legenda Rostas, 28, pleaded responsible March 1 to the identical expenses. Angel and Legenda Rostas informed authorities that they’re sisters and that the Rostas are married.
All three admitted partaking in sleight of hand to defraud Goal shops since 2017 whereas shopping for varied denominations of Visa present playing cards. When buying the playing cards, they displayed the total buy value in money, then folded over a portion and stored it whereas handing the remainder to retailer workers. They focused youthful or much less skilled workers and wired the cash they made to household in Romania.
Goal information present Legenda Rostas was concerned in $224,666 in fraud at shops all through the nation, her plea settlement says. Angel admitted involvement in about $83,865 in fraud. Data present Daniel Rostas wired roughly $62,534 to Romania and elsewhere.
All three additionally admitted coming into the nation illegally. Angel was faraway from the US on June 24, 2019. Daniel Rostas was eliminated twice, on Nov. 13, 2019, and Oct. 14, 2020. Legenda Rostas was eliminated on Dec. 28, 2020.
A Dwelling Depot loss prevention officer initially alerted Arnold police to Daniel Rostas on Oct. 14, 2022. Officers later questioned Angel and Legenda Rostas. All three gave pretend names and false identification to police. They have been touring with a number of license plates of their minivan, and police additionally discovered money, present playing cards and Western Union receipts. All three agreed as a part of their plea to forfeit the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica; $10,567 in money; and $11,300 in pay as you go Visa present playing cards.
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety (DHS), chargeable for investigating transnational crime and threats, particularly these felony organizations that exploit the worldwide infrastructure by way of which worldwide commerce, journey, and finance transfer. HSI’s workforce of greater than 8,700 workers consists of greater than 6,000 particular brokers assigned to 237 cities all through the US, and 93 abroad places in 56 nations. HSI’s worldwide presence represents DHS’s largest investigative legislation enforcement presence overseas and one of many largest worldwide footprints in U.S. legislation enforcement.
HSI is targeted on constructing and furthering partnerships with a number of industries to advance this nationwide program to incorporate retail, freight transportation, banking and different enterprise sectors, which can be focused and utilized by organized theft teams to facilitate their felony actions, together with laundering felony proceeds, transporting or exporting stolen items, and different crimes.
Losses ensuing from organized retail crime signify a definite threat to the US’ financial infrastructure. Broad immigration and customs authorities allow HSI to pursue complicated banking and monetary fraud instances to establish, dismantle and disrupt the felony enterprises that threaten the nation’s financial system and homeland safety.
Be taught extra about HSI’s mission to fight organized retail crime in your neighborhood on Twitter @HSIKansasCity.