US Attorney’s Office Unseals Charges Against Costa Rican National for Bank Fraud and Identity Theft
Scheme Targets Elderly Victims through Sweepstakes Scams
A complaint was unsealed today in connection with a scheme to defraud elderly victims through sweepstakes scams, resulting in millions of dollars being wired to bank accounts in Costa Rica.
Key Allegations
- Federico Hernandez Gamboa, 51, of San Jose, Costa Rica, is accused of conspiring to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, as well as aggravated identity theft.
- The alleged scheme involved convincing victims that they had won large cash prizes in a sweepstakes lottery, but first needed to pay supposed taxes and fees.
Investigation Reveals Millions Sent to Bank Accounts
According to the complaint, between August 2020 and May 2023:
- Gamboa and others contacted elderly victims, impersonating high-ranking government officials, including the Chief of the Criminal Division of the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
- Victims were induced to wire millions of dollars in supposed taxes and fees associated with their sweepstakes winnings to bank accounts controlled by members of the fraud scheme.
Charges and Potential Consequences
The victims collectively sent approximately $4.3 million in fraud proceeds to bank accounts controlled by members of the fraud scheme, with around $664,000 being sent directly to Gamboa’s bank accounts.
“We will not tolerate scams that target vulnerable individuals,” said US Attorney Damian Williams. “Those who commit these crimes will be held accountable.”
Gamboa was arrested on February 10, 2024, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. He is currently being held without bail and faces up to 30 years in prison for bank fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
Investigation and Prosecution
The charges are the result of an investigation by the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Assistant US Attorney Amanda C. Weingarten is handling the prosecution.