MANHATTAN, New York (WABC) — A man has been indicted on charges that he ran an alleged scheme targeting drivers in New York City through fraudulent QR code stickers placed on parking kiosks, according to prosecutors.
Mihai Theodor Enescu was arraigned Wednesday on an indictment alleging he operated a scam that targeted drivers. Enescu denied wrongdoing.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m working for Amazon as a delivery driver,” Enescu said.
According to the district attorney’s office, Enescu placed QR code stickers on 64 parking kiosks in Manhattan. Prosecutors said the stickers directed users to a fraudulent website not affiliated with ParkNYC, the city’s approved parking app and payment platform.
Authorities allege the website prompted users to enter financial information, including credit card numbers, that Enescu hoped to access.
Investigators said they were first alerted to the alleged scheme when a victim scanned one of the QR code stickers on a parking meter near 79 E. 10th St. in June 2025. The sticker read, “Web Pay. Scan to pay.”
According to authorities, the QR code directed the victim to a website prominently displaying the official ParkNYC logo. The victim attempted to enter information several times but encountered continual buffering.
Authorities said the victim later realized the QR code was a sticker that had been placed over the official ParkNYC sticker on the meter. The person then alerted their banks before suffering any financial loss.
People interviewed by Eyewitness News said they plan to be more vigilant.
Officials are warning the public about similar scams and advise drivers to use parking meters directly or the ParkNYC app rather than scanning QR codes.
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