Two Romanian Nationals Sentenced in Lake County Fake Gold Jewelry Scam That Defrauded Victim of More Than $15,000

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Two Romanian nationals have been sentenced to probation after pleading guilty in connection with a counterfeit gold jewelry scheme that defrauded a Lake County resident of more than $15,000 and ended with an attempted escape from police during an undercover operation.

According to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office and court records, Florin Ghiocel, 21, of Spring Hill, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count of theft by deception over $10,000, while Alexandru Trandafir, 20, of Waukegan, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft by deception over $10,000.

The investigation began on March 9, when the victim was approached by Ghiocel in the parking lot of a Costco in Mettawa. Prosecutors said Ghiocel told the victim he needed money to get to the airport. After the victim provided cash and purchased gasoline for him, the two exchanged contact information when the victim expressed interest in purchasing gold jewelry that Ghiocel claimed to be selling.

The following day, the victim met Ghiocel in the parking lot of Sunset Foods in Lake Forest. Prosecutors said Ghiocel offered to sell what he represented as $16,000 worth of gold jewelry for $15,800 in cash, claiming he would provide a discount for a cash transaction. The victim completed the purchase but later had the jewelry evaluated and discovered it was counterfeit. Authorities also had the jewelry examined by a jeweler in Highland Park, who confirmed it was not made of gold and had no significant value.

After learning he had been defrauded, the victim continued receiving text messages from another phone number that investigators later linked to Trandafir. Prosecutors said Trandafir arranged another meeting with the victim to sell additional jewelry for $10,000, prompting police to coordinate an undercover operation at the Costco parking lot in Mettawa on March 11.

During the surveillance operation, officers observed a rented gray Hyundai Santa Fe with Texas license plates repeatedly circling the parking lot while text messages continued between the victim and Trandafir. The victim identified the driver as Ghiocel, the same man who had sold him the counterfeit jewelry the previous day.

When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, prosecutors said Ghiocel attempted to flee, striking an undercover police vehicle before officers took the suspects into custody. Inside the SUV, investigators found Ghiocel, Trandafir, two juvenile passengers, and a satchel containing additional pieces of jewelry believed to be part of the scheme.

Authorities also determined that Trandafir was using the cellphone that had been communicating with the victim to arrange the second transaction. According to prosecutors, Trandafir admitted he knew the jewelry was not genuine gold and told investigators it had been imported from China and that the pair “needed to make money.”

The investigation also revealed that Ghiocel and Trandafir, along with other Romanian nationals, had been staying at a short-term rental property in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. Law enforcement officials were contacted by investigators in California, where both men were reportedly under investigation in connection with similar alleged jewelry scams.

Prosecutors initially argued the defendants posed a significant flight risk because they had few ties to Illinois, were staying in temporary lodging, and had traveled across multiple states. A Lake County judge ordered both men held in custody pending trial.

Court records show both defendants later entered negotiated plea agreements that were approved in late June. Ghiocel was sentenced to 30 months of probation and 150 hours of community service after pleading guilty to theft by deception over $10,000. Trandafir received 24 months of probation and 150 hours of community service after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit theft by deception over $10,000.

Both men received credit for the time they had already served in custody, satisfying a 180-day jail sentence, and were ordered to have no contact with the victim. They were also ordered to abstain from alcohol and illegal drugs while on probation.

Authorities continue to remind residents to use caution when purchasing expensive items through private transactions and recommend having valuable jewelry authenticated by a reputable jeweler before completing a sale, particularly when offers appear unusually favorable.