The suspect believed to have put fraudulent QR codes on New York City parking meters in order to allegedly steal personal information was indicted on identity theft and impersonation charges, according to the district attorney.
Outside of court on Wednesday, Mihai Theodor Enescu denied any involvement in the alleged scam to get credit card info from targets. According to prosecutors, Enescu placed fake QR code stickers over real instructions on city parking meters in order to steal the card info.
Whenever someone scanned the code, a fake website popped up that looked like a parking payment portal. At least one person inputted their credit card information. The Manhattan district attorney’s office said that victim alerted his bank before Enescu could get his hands on any money.
“Scammers who prey upon people who are simply trying to feed the meter must be held accountable,” said NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn. “I congratulate the Department of Investigation and the Manhattan’s District Attorney’s Office for making an arrest in this case, and NYC DOT will continue to work with our partner agencies to crack down on this predatory behavior.”
Enescu, an immigrant from Romania, pleaded not guilty. When asked about the supposed scam, he said “I don’t know what you’re talking about, to be honest. I work for Amazon.”
Enescu was out on supervised release after his court hearing, and he was ordered to turn in his Romanian passport. He next court date is scheduled for Dec. 15.
How drivers can avoid getting scammed
New York City parking meters do not use or require QR codes. To avoid getting scammed, download the ParkNYC app and pay directly through that platform.
Otherwise, drivers can use a pay-by-plate parking meter.