Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that two Romanian nationals, Daniel Iulian Teutoc and Constantin Calin, were indicted on March 21, 2025. They face charges related to a scheme involving wire and bank fraud, access device fraud, and possession of unauthorized access devices.
According to the indictment, Teutoc and Calin allegedly targeted Walmart stores across various locations in the Eastern District of Louisiana. These included Laplace, Slidell, Harvey, Boutte, Chalmette, and New Orleans. The pair reportedly captured card information at points of sale using skimming devices previously installed by other conspirators. Magnets were used to activate these skimmers and transmit card data to their cell phones. The stolen information was then sent to another accomplice for fraudulent transactions.
If convicted on conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud charges, both men could face up to 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and five years of supervised release. Conviction for conspiracy to commit access device fraud could lead to up to five years in prison with a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. For possession of unauthorized access devices charges, they each face up to ten years imprisonment with similar fines and terms of supervised release. Each count carries a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
Simpson emphasized that an indictment is only a formal accusation; guilt must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations, United States Secret Service, New Orleans Police Department as well as St. Bernard Sheriff's Office along with St John the Baptist Parish’s Sheriff's Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Paul J Hubbell from General Crimes Unit alongside Nicholas Moses (Healthcare Fraud Coordinator) plus André Jones (lead OCDETF Narcotics Task Force Attorney) are handling prosecution duties within this case which forms part Operation Take Back America—a national initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration while eliminating cartels/transnational criminal organizations protecting communities against violent crime perpetrators through coordinated efforts/resources under DOJ's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) & Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).