U.S. Marshals are looking for the two latest Romanian nationals allegedly involved in a Craigslist scheme that defrauded people in Louisiana and other states of more than $1.4 million.
Gheorghe Olar, 49, and Dorin Racu, 31, both from Lafayette, are wanted for their part in the scheme and have felony racketeering charges pending against them, Deputy Marshal Corey Britt said.
The scheme was part of an international enterprise that unknowingly redirected online shoppers away from websites like eBay and Craigslist. Shoppers instead would end up at spoof, imitation sites where they would attempt to buy items including automobiles.
Shoppers were then instructed to submit payments to the alleged sellers through money service businesses such as MoneyGram and Western Union. After the payments were made, the alleged sellers would stop communicating with buyers and never deliver the items.
Olar is 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weights 210 pounds and Racu is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds, Britt said.
Authorities booked seven people in the scam Tuesday, Oct. 14.
Anyone with information on their location is asked to contact the U.S. Marshals in Lafayette at (337) 251-6921.