Romanian Charged in Internet Car Sale Scam

Nikolae Savva, 36, of Oradea, Romania, was charged on September 3, 2013, by information with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and possession of a fraudulent passport, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Savva conspired with others to defraud persons who sought to purchase used vehicles on the Internet. Savva used false passports supplied by other conspirators to open bank accounts in the United States for the purpose of receiving funds obtained by fraud from the prospective buyers. These buyers would wire money to the bank accounts opened by Savva, and Savva would immediately withdraw the funds and then wire most of the money to conspirators outside the United States. The buyer was not able to recover the funds she sent after she discovered that the offer to sell the vehicle was fraudulent.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment; three years’ supervised release; $500,000 fine; restitution; forfeiture; and a $200 special assessment

The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Customs and Border Protection, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Albert S. Glenn.

An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.