Giuliano Orlando Costin Sandu, a 32-year-old Romanian national, has pleaded guilty in a federal court in South Florida to laundering money connected to a large online auction fraud scheme. Sandu was illegally present in the United States when he took part in the operation.
According to court documents and statements made in a Ft. Lauderdale courtroom, Sandu admitted to helping criminals who were tricking people across the United States. The scam involved fake online ads for high-priced cars, boats, and tractors. These ads were made to look like they came from real auction sites. People believed the listings were real and wired large sums of money to bank accounts, thinking they were buying these expensive items.
In reality, the listings were completely fake. The victims never received anything. The money they sent went directly into accounts set up by Sandu in South Florida. To hide his role, Sandu used several fake names, shell companies, and false identity documents—including a counterfeit Czech passport. He opened many bank accounts under these names to hide where the money was going and who was behind it.
Fast Withdrawals and Hidden Tracks
Once the money landed in the accounts, Sandu wasted no time. He quickly went to multiple bank branches, often on the same day, to withdraw large sums of cash. This method helped him avoid detection and made it harder for law enforcement to trace the stolen funds. It also allowed him to hide the source and final destination of the money.
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The total amount of money he laundered between late 2023 and early 2024 was over $750,000. Sandu was able to move this amount through careful planning and quick withdrawals, often spreading transactions across several locations. His main goal was to keep the money away from authorities and hide who really controlled it.
In April 2024, Sandu was finally caught. He was arrested inside a local bank branch while trying to open yet another account with a new fake identity. He had brought along more false documents in hopes of continuing the scheme. But this time, agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) were ready.
Court Proceedings and Upcoming Sentencing
Sandu appeared before U.S. District Judge William P. Dimitrouleas, where he formally admitted to laundering money. He now faces a possible sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 15 at 1:30 p.m. in Ft. Lauderdale.
The case was investigated by the Miami and Salt Lake City Field Offices of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The announcement of the guilty plea was made by U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of HSI’s Miami Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Juenger.
