U.S.-Peruvian National Extradited to Houston Over $40 Million Bank Fraud Scheme

Hugo Villanueva, a 70-year-old dual U.S.-Peruvian citizen, has been extradited from Peru to Houston to face charges for an alleged $40 million bank fraud scheme. Prosecutors claim that between 2016 and 2021, Villanueva and co-defendants submitted fraudulent loan applications using forged documents. Villanueva, who fled the U.S. in 2023, is scheduled for a detention hearing on October 7th and faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.