MIAMI, FL – Juan Alejandro Rodriguez Cuya, 35, is headed to federal prison for more than 17 years after a jury found him guilty of masterminding a ruthless operation that preyed on Spanish-speaking residents of the United States. Rodriguez Cuya was sentenced to 210 months – that’s seventeen years and six months – in federal district court in Miami, followed by three years of supervised release. The Department of Justice and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) announced the sentence, a hard-won victory against a particularly vile brand of fraud.
The scheme, run through Angeluz Florida Corporation and call centers located in Peru, relied on intimidation and outright lies. Rodriguez Cuya’s employees bombarded victims with threats of arrest, deportation, property seizure, and ruined credit scores – all over debts the victims never incurred. They falsely claimed victims had failed to accept delivery of products they never ordered, demanding “settlement fees” to avoid these fabricated consequences. Thousands of vulnerable individuals, terrified by the threats, paid up, lining Rodriguez Cuya’s pockets. His mother, Maria Luzula, also pleaded guilty and received a 165-month sentence in December 2014.
The jury reached its verdict after a mere two hours of deliberation following a two-week trial before U.S. District Court Judge Patricia A. Seitz. Rodriguez Cuya faced a staggering 26 charges, including conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, and attempted extortion. Evidence presented at trial painted a chilling picture of the operation: Peruvian callers using internet-based phone lines to systematically terrorize and defraud unsuspecting Americans. The operation wasn’t about selling products; it was about exploiting fear and extracting money from those least able to fight back.
“Consumer fraud that targets a specific population is shameful,” declared U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer for the Southern District of Florida. “In this case, the defendants targeted Spanish-speaking consumers and falsely threatened them with arrest, deportation, forfeiture of property or harm to their credit scores when the consumers refused to settle claims for products that were not delivered or ordered. Such tactics are intolerable.” Acting Assistant Attorney General Joyce R. Branda of the Justice Department’s Civil Division echoed this sentiment, stating the department would remain “particularly vigilant” in cases exploiting vulnerable populations.
The courtroom wasn’t filled with statistics; it was filled with stories. Victims who testified spoke of crippling anxiety, a loss of trust, and the lingering fear that every phone call brings a new threat. One victim poignantly told the judge she came to the United States seeking opportunity, but this crime made her feel violated and powerless. They weren’t just losing money; they were losing their peace of mind. The judge also ordered Rodriguez Cuya to forfeit assets gained through the fraudulent scheme.
“The USPIS will continue to aggressively investigate and go after those who defraud citizens of their hard earned money through the use of threats and other abusive tactics,” said Postal Inspector in Charge Ronald Verrochio of the USPIS Miami Division. This case serves as a stark reminder that those who prey on the vulnerable will be held accountable. The Justice Department and USPIS are sending a clear message: exploiting fear for profit won’t be tolerated.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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