ICE removes Romanian fugitive wanted for identity theft, fraud in France

NEWARK, N.J. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed foreign fugitive Torsten Ew Torz, 31, a native of Germany and citizen of Romania, March 6.

Torz is wanted by law enforcement authorities in France for identity theft and credit card fraud.

"We continue to work closely with our international law enforcement partners to ensure foreign fugitives are held accountable for their crimes overseas,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris. “Removing criminal aliens like Torz keep our American communities safe.”

Torz entered the United States without admission or parole by an immigration official on an unknown date and at an unknown location.

The Garden City Police Department in New York arrested Torz on Dec. 19, 2023, for grand larceny, possession of a forged instrument and criminal possession of a forgery device.

The Paris Judicial Court in France issued an arrest warrant for Torz on March 25, 2024, on charges of “swindling carried out by an organized gang” and’ “involvement in a criminal conspiracy for the purpose of conceiving an offense punishable by 10 years of imprisonment.”

ICE arrested Torz on Oct. 16, 2024, and issued him a notice to appear. He was detained at the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey, without bond, pending removal proceedings.

An immigration judge in Elizabeth, New Jersey, ordered Torz removed from the United States on Nov. 19, 2024.

Torz was turned over to Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 21, on an outstanding warrant. The District Court of New York in Suffolk County convicted Torz for unlawful possession of a skimmer device intended for use in identity theft and sentenced him to time served. Torz returned to ICE custody Jan. 29, where he remained until his removal from the U.S.

Members of the public with information can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE Newark’s mission to increase public safety in our New Jersey communities on X: @ERONewark.