A 36-year-old man from Lima, Peru, David Cornejo Fernandez, was recently extradited to the United States to face charges for his alleged role in a scheme targeting Spanish-speaking consumers with extortion and fraud. The U.S. Department of Justice announced that Cornejo is accused of providing technological support to Peruvian call centers that conducted the criminal activities from November 2012 through June 2019.
Arrested on May 17 following a U.S. extradition request, Cornejo remained incarcerated pending proceedings. Now arraigned in a Miami federal court, he faces charges including conspiracy, wire fraud, and extortion. According to the indictment, his role was critical in the operation—providing Internet-based phone services, caller-ID spoofing, and training, which aided the call centers in their deceitful practices. They allegedly threatened and defrauded victims by impersonating legal and federal entities, insisting on payment for non-existent prizes, and intimidating them with false legal repercussions.
Reacting to the extradition, U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida stated, "The long arm of the American justice system has no limits when it comes to reaching fraudsters who prey on our nation’s most vulnerable populations, to include the elderly and recent immigrants. We will not allow transnational criminals to use fear tactics and intimidation to steal money from the public we serve. Individuals who defraud American consumers will be brought to justice, no matter where they are located.” Cornejo could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted, as mentioned in the press release.
This case illustrates the ongoing collaboration between U.S. authorities and international law enforcement to combat fraud. “Today’s initial appearance of David Cornejo Fernandez is strong evidence of the dedication between the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida who will stop at nothing to bring those who victimize our citizens to justice,” said Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the USPIS Miami Division, as noted by the U.S. Attorney's Office. According to the indictment, Cornejo enabled the fraudulent call centers to manipulate phone numbers, making them appear to be calling from U.S. agencies to extort payments.
The concerted efforts of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Peruvian National Police, and other agencies brought the case to the point where Cornejo now faces justice in the U.S. Victims of financial fraud, particularly those over 60, are being encouraged to reach out to the National Elder Fraud Hotline and the Justice Department provides resources through its Elder Justice Initiative and Office for Victims of Crime, aiming to prevent future victimization and assist those already affected.
