Romanian Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Access Device Fraud

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that DORU ADAMESC, a/k/a “Petru Golban,” (“ADAMESC”), age 33, a Romanian national, was sentenced on June 26, 2025, after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit access device fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(b)(2).

According to court documents, on May 19, 2024, and May 20, 2024, ADAMESC, and a co-conspirator, purchased items at retail establishments so that they could approach the credit card reading machines.  ADAMESC’s co-conspirator then distracted the cashiers while ADAMESC covertly installed card skimmers on the credit card reading machines.  ADAMESC was arrested on June 5, 2024, when he returned to one of the stores to attempt to retrieve a skimming device.  A search of his vehicle resulted in the seizure of two large magnets, commonly used to activate the Bluetooth capabilities on skimming devices.  ADAMESC’s cellular phones also were seized; one phone contained a photo of approximately 60 gift cards spread out on a counter.  Such gift cards are typically re-encoded with stolen card numbers in order to make fraudulent purchases or withdrawals.   

Additionally, law enforcement officers seized six credit card skimmers before ADAMESC was able to retrieve them.  These skimmers captured approximately 421 credit, debit, and Electronic Benefit Transfer (“EBT”) card numbers.

“We appreciate the collaboration with our law enforcement partners for their hard work on this investigation.  Those who are involved in fraud regarding USDA taxpayer funded programs will be investigated by our office and brought to justice to protect the integrity of those programs,” said USDA-OIG Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Wilkins.

“This case is an excellent example of law enforcement professionals on the federal, state and local levels working together,” St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith said. “Thanks to the hard work of the detectives with the STPSO Financial Crimes Unit and the partnerships they have built with our federal, state and local partners, we were able to identify and arrest this individual, who is now being brought to justice. Installing skimming devices to steal innocent people’s financial information is not only illegal — it’s a violation of trust. I’m proud of the relentless effort our team put in to protect the people of St. Tammany Parish and beyond.”

U.S. District Judge Nannette J. Brown sentenced ADAMESC to serve 27 years in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Judge Brown further imposed a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the United States Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General; the United States Secret Service; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office; the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office; the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office; and the New Orleans Police Department, in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

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