A Peruvian national, David Cornejo Fernandez, has been extradited to the United States and appeared in a federal court in Miami. He faces charges related to fraud schemes conducted by several Peruvian call centers targeting Spanish-speaking individuals across the U.S., as announced by the Justice Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
Cornejo, aged 36, was arrested on May 17 by Peruvian authorities following a U.S. extradition request and has been held since then. He is charged with federal wire fraud, extortion, and conspiracy.
The indictment alleges that from November 2012 through June 2019, Cornejo provided technology such as Internet-based telephone lines and caller-ID spoofing services to fraudulent call centers. These centers used this technology to deceive victims into believing they had won prizes like tablets with English courses. Victims were later coerced into making payments under threats of legal action or harm to their immigration status.
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.” Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton added that the Justice Department will continue working with global partners to combat transnational crime.
Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of USPIS Miami Division emphasized collaboration between countries: “Together, we continue to send a strong message that justice has no borders.”
Cornejo faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The case was investigated by USPIS with assistance from various agencies including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and international partners.
The Justice Department continues efforts against similar threats targeting Spanish-speaking U.S. residents and offers resources through its National Elder Fraud Hotline for those affected by financial fraud.
An indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.