Florida Man Admits Running Nationwide Bank Impersonation Scheme

SAN DIEGO -Albert Guerra of Florida pleaded guilty in federal court today to bank fraud and money laundering charges, admitting he traveled across the country impersonating bank employees to defraud victims-many of them elderly.

According to his plea agreement, Guerra and his criminal associates obtained bank customer information, called victims and falsely claimed to be investigating fraud at the victims' banks. He convinced victims to withdraw cash and deliver it to purported bank employees-which were just rideshare service drivers that Guerra sent to retrieve cash from victims and to deliver back to him. Guerra frequently told the drivers they were picking up documents from "my grandma" and "my grandpa."

The plea agreement details how after flying from Houston to San Diego on October 26, 2025, Guerra defrauded at least three victims in the greater San Diego area, collecting $13,000 from one victim, $37,000 from another, and $86,300 from yet another. Just days later, Guerra made a $24,000 cash payment for a Tesla Model 3 in Las Vegas. And in January 2026, Guerra travelled to Portland, Oregon, where he defrauded at least one victim out of $40,000.

Guerra is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino on June 18, 2026, at 9 a.m.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric R. Olah.

If you or someone you know is aged 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). You can also report fraud to any local law enforcement agency or on the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at https://www.ic3.gov.

DEFENDANT Case Number 26cr607-JLS

Albert Guerra Age: 26 Miramar, FL

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Bank Fraud - Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1344(2)

Maximum penalty: Thirty years in prison and $1 million fine

Money Laundering - Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1957

Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

San Diego Elder Justice Task Force

Federal Bureau of Investigation

San Diego Police Department

Portland Police Bureau (Oregon)