A Riverside County man has pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from a large-scale fraud scheme that targeted businesses across multiple states, authorities announced this week.
Daniel Ruiz, 39, of Moreno Valley, entered a guilty plea Monday to one count of wire fraud in U.S. District Court, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
Prosecutors said Ruiz orchestrated a scheme between 2021 and 2024 in which he posed as a legitimate supplier of electronic components and industrial equipment. Using fake business names and spoofed email domains, Ruiz allegedly convinced companies to send advance payments for products that were never delivered.
According to court documents, investigators identified more than 25 victims nationwide, with total losses exceeding $750,000. Many of the targeted businesses were small companies that relied on timely shipments to maintain operations.
Federal agents began investigating after multiple complaints were filed with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Authorities traced the fraudulent communications and financial transactions back to accounts controlled by Ruiz.
During the investigation, agents executed a search warrant at Ruiz’s residence in early 2025, where they seized computers, financial records, and evidence linking him to the scheme, prosecutors said.
Ruiz admitted in his plea agreement that he knowingly misrepresented himself to victims and used the proceeds for personal expenses, including luxury purchases and travel.
He is scheduled to be sentenced later this year and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Officials encouraged businesses to remain vigilant against fraud attempts and to verify vendor identities before sending payments.
