Romanian national Alexandru Ispas, 36, was arrested on July 1 in connection with the alleged fraudulent use of an EBT card. Courtesy photo/Nashua Police Department

NASHUA – Romanian national Alexandru Ispas, 36, was taken into custody on July 1 in connection with the alleged fraudulent use of an EBT card.

According to the Nashua Police Department, in November 2025, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services identified a series of unauthorized ATM withdrawals from accounts linked to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. Between January and July of this year, additional withdrawals were reported in Manchester and Nashua. The financial losses are reportedly estimated at more than $100,000.

On the morning of July 1, Ispas was allegedly observed making several ATM withdrawals at the Main Street offices of Citizens Bank and Santander Bank. Nashua Police, together with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and a team of federal agents placed Ispas under arrest and determined that he was part of an “organized scheme to defraud the TANF program.”

While being questioned by police, Ispas reportedly identified himself as Peter Sagan of Slovakia. However, federal agents used facial recognition software to reveal his true identity. They reportedly discovered that Ispas had committed fraud offenses elsewhere in the U.S. and in Europe.

During further searches, investigators recovered $19,590, the same amount that was reportedly withdrawn from the two Nashua banks. Numerous duplicate EBT cards were also recovered as well as a Danish passport.

Ispas has been charged with two counts of theft by unauthorized taking of more than $1,500, two counts of identity fraud, two counts of forgery of a government instrument and disobeying an officer.

Ispas was held on preventive detention and was arraigned in Nashua District Court on July 2.

Under state law, if convicted, he could face up to 75 years in prison, up to 30 years of probation and up to $26,000 in fines.