MIAMI – In a shocking turn of events, David Cornejo Fernandez, 36, of Lima, Peru, pleaded guilty to his participation in a transnational mail and wire fraud scheme that targeted vulnerable United States consumers.
According to court documents, Cornejo facilitated fraud schemes that stole millions of dollars from Spanish-speaking victims across the United States. He provided Internet-based telephone lines, caller-ID spoofing services, and recording capabilities to a network of fraudulent call centers based in Peru.
The call centers, relying on Cornejo’s services, defrauded and extorted thousands of Spanish-speaking victims by falsely threatening them with court proceedings, fines, and other consequences. Cornejo further provided the call centers with the technology – and, at times, the training – to convincingly impersonate federal agents, police officers, attorneys, court personnel, and other government officials in order to extort payments from victims.
Cornejo was extradited from Peru in November 2024 to face charges related to the scheme. This guilty plea marks another important victory in the relentless pursuit of transnational fraudsters who impersonate U.S. government officials to exploit vulnerable Spanish-speaking communities across the United States.
“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,” said U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida. “Today’s outcome sends a clear message: we will work hand-in-hand with our international partners to dismantle these schemes, extradite those responsible, and ensure they face justice in U.S. courts, no matter how far they try to hide.”
Cornejo admitted that he provided his co-conspirators with the technology to manipulate the phone numbers on victims’ caller IDs, which enabled them to place threatening calls that appeared to be coming from U.S. federal agencies, court officials or law enforcement agencies. He also placed recordings on his co-conspirators’ inbound phone lines that appeared to be recordings from actual U.S. courts, police departments and federal agencies.
Cornejo is the 13th defendant to be convicted in connection with a $15 million transnational fraud scheme that defrauded and threatened Spanish-speaking U.S. consumers. Collectively, the scheme was responsible for defrauding more than 30,000 United States consumers, many of whom were vulnerable.
In pleading guilty, Cornejo admitted to his role in the scheme and is currently facing charges related to the fraud. The sentencing date has not been set.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, along with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Republic of Peru, worked together to bring Cornejo to justice.
Related Federal Cases
- Nazaret Chakrian, ID Theft and Wire Fraud, California 2023 · Idaho
- Stuart C. Cole, Mail Fraud, Extortion, Money Laundering, St Pete Be… · Puerto Rico
- Christopher B. Epps, Bribery and Wire Fraud, Jackson MS, 2023 · Florida
- Jeffery Hall Sentenced to 2 Years for Mail Fraud, Orlando FL, 2023 · New York
- Patrick Merrill Brody, Wire Fraud and Money Laundering, Salt Lake C… · Utah
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
