Florida Man Drains $234,000 From Bank Customers in California and Nevada, Posing As Fraud Investigator: DOJ

A Florida man named Albert Guerra has admitted to stealing over $234,000 from bank customers across the United States by posing as a fraud investigator. The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California has revealed that Guerra, based in Miramar, Florida, has pleaded guilty to running a nationwide bank fraud scheme alongside his associates.

Guerra’s elaborate scheme involved first gathering information about a bank customer and then contacting them under the guise of conducting fraud investigations. He convinced victims to withdraw cash and deliver it to individuals posing as bank employees. However, these individuals were actually rideshare service drivers that Guerra had hired to collect the money and return it to him.

Many of Guerra’s victims were elderly, and he often told the rideshare drivers that they were picking up documents from his grandparents. The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California detailed how Guerra defrauded more than $170,000 from victims on the West Coast, particularly in California and Nevada.

In October 2025, Guerra targeted three victims in different parts of San Diego, California, stealing a total of $136,300. Just three days after these thefts, he spent $24,000 on a Tesla Model 3 in Las Vegas. Guerra also stole $40,000 from at least one victim in Oregon.

Guerra pleaded guilty to charges of bank fraud and money laundering in late March and is scheduled to be sentenced in June. The case highlights the ingenuity of criminals in exploiting vulnerable populations and the need for increased vigilance among bank customers and financial institutions.

The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California has been working diligently to prosecute individuals involved in such fraudulent activities. This case serves as a reminder that anyone can be a target of such schemes, and it is crucial to remain cautious when dealing with unsolicited contacts, especially those claiming to represent financial institutions.

As the sentencing date approaches, the focus will be on determining an appropriate punishment for Guerra, considering the significant amount of money he stole and the potential emotional distress caused to his victims. The case also underscores the importance of rideshare drivers being aware of their role in such schemes and the potential legal consequences of participating in fraudulent activities.

In the meantime, the US Attorney’s Office continues to emphasize the need for individuals to report suspicious activities and to verify the legitimacy of any contact they receive regarding financial matters. By doing so, they can help prevent others from falling victim to similar fraudulent schemes and contribute to a safer financial ecosystem.

The sentencing of Albert Guerra will undoubtedly serve as a deterrent to potential fraudsters and reinforce the commitment of the US Attorney’s Office to combating financial crimes. As the case unfolds, it will be interesting to see the impact of the sentence on Guerra and the broader implications for those considering engaging in similar fraudulent activities.

In conclusion, the case of Albert Guerra serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with financial fraud and the importance of vigilance among bank customers. The US Attorney’s Office’s successful prosecution of Guerra highlights the effectiveness of law enforcement in combating such schemes and the need for continued efforts to protect vulnerable populations from fraudsters.