Mother and Son Charged in Miami for Financially Exploiting Elderly Woman Over Several Years

Natacha Maria Lezcano, aged 63, and her son Daniel Romero, 33, both residents of Miami, appeared in a federal court last Sunday. They are accused of financially exploiting an elderly woman for at least three years, as stated in an official release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida. The nationality of the accused has not been publicly disclosed.

The court appearance took place on April 27, coinciding with National Crime Victims' Rights Week. The prosecution used this timing to emphasize its dedication to protecting vulnerable populations.

According to the charges, Lezcano—also known as Maria Margarita Lezcano—became the live-in caregiver for the victim in 2020. Once she settled into the home, she arranged for her husband and son, Romero, to move into the elderly woman's residence as well.

The Scheme Unveiled

From that point until 2023, Romero allegedly used the victim's personal information to open fraudulent credit accounts, make unauthorized purchases, transfer funds for his own benefit, and submit false credit applications.

Furthermore, Romero is accused of impersonating the elderly woman to financial institutions and conducting unauthorized electronic transfers from her bank accounts.

Lezcano is charged with being aware of her son's activities and failing to report them to authorities, constituting the legal offense of concealing a felony in the United States.

Legal Repercussions

Romero faces charges of wire fraud, bank fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The maximum penalties include 20 years in prison for each count of wire and bank fraud, up to ten years for access device fraud, and a mandatory minimum of two consecutive years for aggravated identity theft. If convicted, Lezcano could face up to three years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones described the case as "a cruel betrayal of trust," noting that "the victim, an elderly woman, welcomed these defendants into her home, only to have them exploit her age, trust, and identity for financial gain."

A Growing Concern in South Florida

The case highlights a troubling trend in South Florida. Previous incidents in Miami include a man arrested for stealing $600,000 and a home from an elderly woman, and another individual caught impersonating the son of a 94-year-old woman.

Florida ranks second nationwide for financial fraud complaints against the elderly, with estimated losses of $2.5 billion nationally in 2023 alone. According to 2025 statistics, two-thirds of elder abuse cases involve family members or close acquaintances, with only 7% of incidents reported to authorities, indicating the true scale of the issue is likely much larger.

As with all criminal proceedings, Lezcano and Romero are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.