Peru Tech Broker Admits to $15M Fraud Scheme

MIAMI, FL – The gears of a sprawling, $15 million fraud scheme grinding up vulnerable Spanish-speaking Americans just got another cog removed. David Cornejo Fernandez, 36, of Lima, Peru, admitted guilt yesterday for his role in facilitating a network of transnational mail and wire fraud operations, according to the Department of Justice. He wasn’t directly taking money from victims, but he provided the tools that allowed others to do so with chilling efficiency.

Court documents paint a picture of Cornejo as a key enabler. He supplied fraudulent call centers based in Peru with the tech to torment thousands of U.S. residents: Internet-based phone lines, caller-ID spoofing services, and recording capabilities. These weren’t just random calls; they were meticulously crafted threats of legal action, fines, and other dire consequences, all designed to squeeze money out of unsuspecting citizens. Cornejo didn’t just provide the technology; he, at times, also provided training on how to convincingly impersonate federal agents, police officers, attorneys, and court staff.

The scheme, which preyed on fear and language barriers, revolved around falsely claiming victims would face severe repercussions unless they paid for bogus English-language products. Over 30,000 Americans were swindled, many of whom were already struggling. Cornejo was extradited from Peru in November 2024, a testament to the increasing cooperation between U.S. authorities and international partners in tackling these borderless crimes. He is the 13th defendant to be convicted in this particular case.

“This guilty plea marks another important victory in our relentless pursuit of transnational fraudsters who impersonate U.S. government officials to exploit vulnerable Spanish-speaking communities across the United States,” declared U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida. “David Cornejo Fernandez enabled a sophisticated network of call centers that used technology to impersonate government officials, instill fear, and steal millions from hardworking individuals.”

Federal officials are sending a clear message: hiding behind international borders and phone lines won’t shield perpetrators. Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division stated that the DOJ is “committed to protecting vulnerable U.S. consumers from fraud, especially schemes carried out by criminals impersonating U.S. government officials.” Bladismir Rojo, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division, added, “The defendant thought he could hide behind borders and phone lines, but the Postal Inspection Service is relentless.”

Cornejo confessed to equipping his co-conspirators with the means to manipulate caller ID, making threatening calls appear to originate from legitimate U.S. agencies. He also deployed recordings of authentic-sounding courtrooms, police departments, and federal agencies on their phone lines, amplifying the illusion of legitimacy. The aim? To terrorize victims into paying up. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities vowing to continue dismantling these predatory schemes and bringing all those responsible to justice.