Romanian National Sentenced to Over Two Years for SNAP Benefits Fraud Conspiracy

A Romanian national has been sentenced to federal prison for her involvement in a scheme that defrauded the United States and numerous Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries. Maria Roza Tomescu, 22, was ordered by U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin to serve 28 months in prison for her role in the conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, as announced by U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. The investigation also involved collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, the Montgomery County Police Department, and the Howard County Police Department.

The SNAP program, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is a federally funded initiative designed to combat hunger and malnutrition among low-income families. Recipients use Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which function similarly to debit cards and store essential personal and application data. According to her plea agreement, Tomescu participated in a conspiracy that targeted EBT benefits across the United States, including in Maryland, California, Kentucky, Tennessee, and New York. The scheme, which was active in 2022, involved the use of skimming devices and other methods to illegally obtain victim EBT information.

Members of the conspiracy were assigned various roles, including procuring skimming equipment, transporting it to co-conspirators, and installing or removing it from point-of-sale (POS) terminals in commercial establishments. They also monitored locations where skimming devices were in place and used the collected data to create duplicate EBT cards. These cloned cards, loaded with victims’ personal information, were then used to make large bulk purchases.

In one instance on August 5, 2022, Tomescu and two accomplices were documented placing skimming devices on POS terminals at a Walmart in Columbia and a 7-Eleven in Laurel, Maryland. Tomescu acted as a diversion while another individual installed the equipment. Later, on August 27 of the same year, Tomescu used a stolen Maryland EBT number and PIN to purchase over $900 worth of Red Bull from a Sam’s Club in Severn, Maryland, from a victim’s account.

Further investigation revealed that in 2025, Tomescu was stopped by Baltimore County Police Department officers while driving. She presented a fraudulent Italian driver’s license to authorities. Upon the discovery of her true identity, she was arrested. Subsequent investigations uncovered that Tomescu had opened two bank accounts using the false identity, through which she deposited checks intended for churches. Her fraudulent activities resulted in illicit gains totaling $7,457.50. The impact of this fraud was significant, with at least 15 victims losing their SNAP benefits and being unable to purchase food until their benefits were replenished the following month. The total financial loss attributed to this conspiracy within Maryland alone is estimated at approximately $343,756.

A co-conspirator, Fabritio Sardaru, 22, also an illegal alien and a citizen of Romania and Ireland, previously received a two-year prison sentence for his involvement in the same conspiracy. The Department of Justice’s recent establishment of the National Fraud Enforcement Division underscores a commitment to vigorously investigating and prosecuting those who misuse taxpayer funds. This effort aligns with broader governmental initiatives aimed at combating fraud, waste, and abuse within federal benefit programs.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland.

---