Nichita Petruleac
In August of 2025, Nichita Petruleac entered the United States from the European country of Moldova and assumed the false identity of Felix Lemmens using a fraudulent Belgian passport. While in the United States, Petruleac used this identity to open bank accounts in North Carolina, establish a fictitious business called La Bahia Auto Sales LLC, and create fake websites used to sell classic cars. Using the “classic car scam,” Petruleac allegedly defrauded dozens of victims across the United States. One victim was a resident of Marion County, who filed a complaint with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office after not receiving the vehicle they had purchased.
An investigation was conducted by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division. During the investigation, detectives executed numerous search warrants seeking financial, email, and cell phone records. Detectives obtained bank surveillance footage showing Petruleac, using the false name Lemmens, withdrawing large amounts of cash at bank locations in North Carolina. Using that footage, detectives utilized facial-recognition software to determine Petralia’s true identity. The images of the person withdrawing money were matched to a mugshot taken when Petruleac was arrested in North Carolina on larceny charges in December 2025.
Working in conjunction with the 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, evidence obtained during the investigation was presented to the October 2026 session of the Marion County Grand Jury. The Grand Jury returned an indictment and arrest warrant charging Petruleac with theft over $10,000. Records indicate that Petruleac left the United States and returned to Europe soon after his arrest in North Carolina in December 2025.
An arrest warrant for Petruleac has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, and an alert has been sent to the Department of Homeland Security. If Petruleac re-enters the United States, authorities will be alerted so he can be arrested and extradited to Marion County to face prosecution.
Evidence from this investigation has also been shared with other agencies throughout the United States so that those jurisdictions may present the evidence and seek arrest warrants against Petruleac.
