Peru extradites call center operator who targeted U.S. Spanish speakers
FLORIDA, UNITED STATES — A Peruvian woman accused of running a large-scale fraud and extortion scheme targeting Spanish-speaking Americans has been extradited to the United States.
Carla Magaly Alcedo Mendoza, 43, faces multiple federal charges for allegedly operating call centers that deceived victims with fake financial aid offers.
International fraud scheme targeted vulnerable victims
From 2013 to 2018, Alcedo allegedly managed call centers in Peru that preyed on U.S. Spanish speakers, falsely claiming to represent government agencies, universities, and Hispanic aid help centers.
Victims were told they qualified for English-language program funding, only to later be pressured into paying bogus fees for storage and other fabricated costs.
When victims resisted, Alcedo and her co-conspirators allegedly escalated to threats, warning of arrests or legal action if payments weren’t made.
The scheme reflects a broader trend of transnational fraud operations exploiting language barriers and trust in institutional entities to manipulate victims.
U.S.-Peru collaboration brings suspect to justice
Alcedo’s extradition marks the 14th arrest and 10th extradition in the ongoing investigation, highlighting strengthened international law enforcement cooperation.
Acting Inspector in Charge Steven Hodges of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service emphasized that the case can be solved when agencies work across borders.
“We have proven that when we work together, no criminal is beyond our reach,” Hodges said.
The DOJ’s Consumer Protection Branch has vowed to continue pursuing fraudsters targeting Americans, regardless of where they operate.
Alcedo, indicted in 2021, faces an 18-count federal indictment with a potential 20-year prison sentence per count if convicted. Her attorney has stated they will review the evidence before trial.
Potential prison time and case implications
Alcedo Mendoza now faces severe consequences in the U.S. justice system, with each of the 18 federal charges carrying up to 20 years of imprisonment.
The prosecution of this case possesses the potential to create legal precedents that enable the proper prosecution of transnational fraud operations that intentionally target immigrant communities using language-specific scams.
The substantial potential sentence reflects growing judicial seriousness about cross-border financial crimes.
