Spoofed Bank Calls, Stolen Cards: Franco Fuentes Sentenced to 57 Months for Preying on Older Victims

Published Oct. 2, 2026. Case statuses are current as of that date.

On Sept. 21, 2026, Franco Fuentes, 30, of Woodland Hills, California, was sentenced in San Diego federal court to 57 months in prison for bank fraud after posing as a bank employee and tricking elderly victims into surrendering bank cards he then used for cash withdrawals and lavish purchases [1]. Fuentes, a Peruvian national and green-card holder, was also ordered to pay more than $270,000 in restitution and forfeit property seized from his residence, including more than $37,000 in cash and a bill-counting machine [1].

Because Fuentes pleaded guilty and has been sentenced, this criminal case reflects a conviction, not a pending accusation.

How the scheme worked

In his plea agreement, Fuentes admitted that he and criminal associates called victims and falsely claimed to be bank employees investigating fraud on the victims’ accounts [1]. Key steps, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

1. Spoofed or convincing caller ID. One victim told the court the defendant “fraudulently obtained my banking information by calling me from a phone line that appeared to have my U.S. Bank caller ID” [1].
2. Card handoff. Fuentes tricked victims into surrendering their bank cards.
3. Cash and luxury spending. He used the cards for withdrawals and purchases. In one example, he targeted an 80-year-old victim, sent a rideshare driver to her house, and used her cards for more than $43,000 in withdrawals and purchases, including about $22,000 at Apple stores [1].
4. Callous internal talk. In messages with a co-conspirator, Fuentes referred to victims as “vics” and boasted that the “targets are endless,” according to the government’s presentation at sentencing [1].

U.S. District Judge Benjamin J. Cheeks called the conduct an “awful crime” that took advantage of “some of the most vulnerable people in society,” and noted Fuentes had previously received a generous resolution in state court for similar fraud yet “did it again and again” [1].

The case number is 26cr404-BJC. Fuentes was charged with bank fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1344(2) [1]. The San Diego Elder Justice Task Force—FBI and San Diego Police—investigated; Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric R. Olah prosecuted [1].

Red flags

• A caller claiming to be your bank who asks you to hand over, mail, or give a courier your debit/credit card.
• Caller ID that shows your bank’s name—caller ID can be spoofed.
• Requests to move money “to a safe account,” buy gift cards, or meet a rideshare driver with your card or cash.
• Urgency and secrecy: “Don’t tell your family” or “act now or your account will be frozen.”
• Banks do not send drivers to pick up your cards.

What to do if you're targeted

1. Hang up. Call your bank only at the number on your card or statement.
2. If you already gave up a card, call the bank’s fraud line immediately, cancel the card, and file a police report.
3. Report to the FBI at ic3.gov and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
4. Age 60 or older? Call the DOJ Elder Justice Hotline, 1-833-372-8311 (1-833-FRAUD-11) [1].
5. Tell a trusted relative or neighbor—impersonation scams rely on isolation.

Case status (as of Oct. 2, 2026)

Defendant	Court	Status as of Oct. 2, 2026	Source
Franco Fuentes, 30, Woodland Hills, CA	S.D. Cal. (26cr404-BJC)	Pleaded guilty; sentenced Sept. 21, 2026, to 57 months; >$270,000 restitution; forfeiture ordered	[1]

Sources

1. U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California, “Bank Imposter Sentenced for Defrauding Elderly Victims of Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars,” Sept. 21, 2026. https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/bank-imposter-sentenced-defrauding-elderly-victims-hundreds-thousands-dollars

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