Miami Mother and Son Face Federal Fraud and Identity Theft Charges Involving Elderly Victim

MIAMI - During National Crime Victims' Rights Week, a mother and son made their initial appearances in federal court on Friday to face an indictment charging them with fraud and identity theft offenses involving an elderly victim that spanned years.

According to court records, Natacha Maria Lezcano, also known as Maria Margarita Lezcano, 63, of Miami, became a live-in caregiver for the victim in 2020. She later obtained permission from the victim for her husband and son, Daniel Romero, 33, also of Miami, to move into the residence.

"This indictment alleges a cruel betrayal of trust," said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. "According to the charges, the victim, an elderly woman, opened her home to these defendants and, in return, they exploited her age, her trust, and her identity for financial gain. During National Crime Victims' Rights Week, this case serves as a reminder that financial exploitation of the elderly can be every bit as devastating as violent crime. Our Office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who target vulnerable victims. The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty."

Beginning in 2020 and continuing through 2023, Romero is alleged to have used the victim's personal identifying information to open fraudulent credit cards, make unauthorized purchases, and transfer funds for his personal benefit. The conduct involved submitting false credit applications, impersonating the victim in communications with financial institutions, and initiating unauthorized electronic transfers from the victim's bank accounts.

Lezcano is alleged to have known about the fraud and failed to report it to authorities.

Romero is charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Lezcano is charged with misprison of a felony. If convicted, Romero faces up to 20 years in prison on each of the wire fraud and bank fraud counts, up to 10 years for access device fraud, and a mandatory consecutive term of at least two years for aggravated identity theft. Lezcano faces up to three years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Townsend of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.

USSS Miami is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Love is prosecuting the case.

An indictment/complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.sdfl.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. or at http://pacer.sdfl.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link., under case number 26-cr-20139.

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