U.S. prosecutors allege that Romero used an elderly victim’s personal identifying information to open fraudulent credit cards and make unauthorized purchases and transfers. The case also claims the defendants impersonated the victim in communications with financial institutions.

Federal charges in the Southern District of Florida allege a targeted identity theft and financial fraud scheme involving an elderly victim. Prosecutors said that from 2020 to 2023, Romero allegedly used the victim’s personal identifying information to open fraudulent credit cards and conduct unauthorized transactions. The government’s account describes both purchases and transfers taken from the victim’s bank accounts, supported by access gained through stolen or misused identifying information. A key allegation is that the defendants did not simply take data and spend it—they reportedly used impersonation to interact with financial institutions. According to the release, Romero allegedly communicated with lenders and other financial entities while presenting themselves as the victim to facilitate or sustain the fraud. This type of conduct can delay detection by presenting a false identity when banks attempt to verify account activity, investigate irregular charges, or process disputes. The charging document reflects multiple fraud and identity theft counts, emphasizing that the alleged harm combined unauthorized financial activity with deliberate impersonation. The case serves as a reminder that elder-focused scams often involve both account misuse and identity-based communications to keep fraudulent activity operating longer.