The alleged scheme first came to the city's attention after a motorist encountered one of the fake QR codes on a parking meter near 79 E. 10th St. in June 2025.
Mihai Theodor Enescu faces five counts of second-degree identity theft and six counts of second-degree criminal impersonation.
According to prosecutors, the East 10th Street sticker read "Web Pay. Scan to Pay" and directed the motorist to a website displaying the PARKNYC logo.
The site asked for a credit card number, expiration date, phone number, billing address and license plate number.
After several unsuccessful attempts to enter the information, the motorist realized the QR code was on a sticker placed over the official PARKNYC information on the meter.
He contacted his banks before suffering any financial loss, prosecutors said.
The discovery prompted the Department of Transportation to inspect parking meters throughout Manhattan. Officials said they found and removed 64 fraudulent QR code stickers.
Investigators eventually connected Enescu to the account associated with the website, according to prosecutors. He also allegedly purchased two packs of 4-by-6-inch shipping labels that could be used to make the QR code stickers.
Officials are reminding motorists that the city does not ask drivers to scan a QR code to pay for parking.
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