STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — A Romanian woman identified as Stela Razmias has been arrested in connection with a multi-state “quick-change” fraud scheme, after scamming a Best Buy in Stuart out of $300.
According to the Stuart Police Department (SPD), the incident occurred over five months ago but led to her arrest on Tuesday. Officers say Razmias used a sleight-of-hand tactic to confuse a cashier, making it appear she paid $600 when she had only handed over $300—the total cost of her purchases.
Razmias was described by the cashier as a short white woman with a distinctive “gold fang.” After the transaction, she allegedly drove to a different Best Buy location in Palm Beach County and returned the same items for a full refund.
SPD revealed that minutes before the Stuart incident, Razmias had tried the same scam at an Ulta store. That attempt failed when the Ulta cashier insisted on recounting the cash.
Working with federal agencies, investigators learned Razmias entered the United States from Romania in July 2024. Authorities believe she is part of an organized network targeting retailers nationwide through similar deceptive tactics.
A warrant was issued for her arrest, charging her with participating in an organized scheme to defraud. She is also being held on an immigration detainer.
Razmias was apprehended in Brevard County and is now in custody at the Martin County Jail with bond set at $100,000.
