Show-Me State Times

A Romanian national has pleaded guilty in federal court to conducting a series of sleight-of-hand frauds that resulted in losses of at least $130,000 for Walmart stores across the United States.

Suras Rostas, 21, entered his plea on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to two counts of wire fraud. According to court documents, Rostas traveled throughout the country between April 2023 and October 2024, targeting Walmart cashiers with a scheme designed to shortchange them by hundreds or thousands of dollars per transaction.

The method involved Rostas counting out money into piles equal to the transaction amount after merchandise was scanned or an electronic money transfer began. He then handed these piles one at a time to cashiers before taking back the cash, gathering it into a single pile, and discreetly slipping bills from the bottom into his pocket. After completing these transactions, Rostas would often return the merchandise for a full cash refund.

Rostas admitted to carrying out at least 45 fraudulent transactions at Walmart locations in no fewer than 18 states. The total loss attributed to his actions is at least $130,000 in money and property.

He is scheduled for sentencing on December 11. Each count of wire fraud carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In addition to any sentence imposed, Rostas will be required to repay the stolen funds and is likely to face deportation.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Arnold Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Ladendorf is prosecuting the case.

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