A Peruvian national has been extradited to the United States and arraigned in a Miami federal court on charges related to a fraudulent call center scheme. David Cornejo Fernandez, aged 36, is accused of facilitating operations that defrauded Spanish-speaking consumers in the U.S. The Justice Department and U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced his extradition from Peru.
Cornejo faces charges including wire fraud, extortion, and conspiracy. He was apprehended by Peruvian authorities on May 17 following a U.S. extradition request and has been detained since then.
The indictment states that from November 2012 through June 2019, Cornejo provided technology such as internet-based telephone lines and caller-ID spoofing services to call centers engaged in fraudulent activities. These centers targeted vulnerable Spanish-speaking individuals in the United States with false promises of prizes like tablets with English language courses. Victims were later coerced into making payments under threats of legal action or harm to their immigration status.
"The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch will pursue and prosecute transnational criminals who seek to take advantage of vulnerable U.S. consumers," stated Brian M. Boynton, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Civil Division.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida emphasized, "We will not allow transnational criminals to use fear tactics and intimidation to steal money from the public we serve."
Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the USPIS Miami Division remarked on the collaboration between agencies: "Together, we continue to send a strong message that justice has no borders."
Cornejo's case involves a six-count federal indictment filed in February 2023 and unsealed upon his arrival in the United States. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
The investigation was conducted by USPIS with assistance from various international and U.S.-based agencies including the Peruvian National Police.
Senior Trial Attorney Phil Toomajian and Trial Attorney Carolyn Rice are prosecuting the case for the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch.
The department continues its efforts against similar schemes targeting Spanish-speaking residents in the U.S., providing resources such as the National Elder Fraud Hotline for victims over age 60.
Further information about consumer protection efforts can be found on respective government websites, offering support and guidance for reporting fraud incidents.
An indictment serves as an allegation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
