Gustavo Guzman flown from Australia to the United States after arrest in Healesville

A man who has spent five years hiding from authorities has been extradited to the United States over fraud charges.

The AFP had appealed to the public for information on Gustavo Guzman’s whereabouts last.

A fugitive who spent five years on the run in Australia has been extradited to the United States to face fraud charges following his arrest near Melbourne.

Gustavo Guzman, 58, was flown from Australia to the United States on Friday after he was apprehended by Australian Federal Police in Healesville earlier this year.

Mr Guzman was believed to be hiding in Australia since 2017, using false identification and names to avoid detection by authorities.

Last year, the AFP appealed to the public for information on Mr Guzman’s whereabouts and in March residents in Sydney’s northwest were warned not to approach him after he was reported to be in Baulkham Hills.

Following reported sightings, Mr Guzman was arrested in Healesville by the AFP’s Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team – FAST – and remanded in custody while his extradition was finalised.

Mr Guzman had used a fake name to avoid detection by authorities.

He briefly appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in May where he gave consent to be deported back to his home country.

Assistant Commissioner Nigel Ryan said the AFP’s dedicated fugitive strike team worked with domestic and international law enforcement partners to help arrest and extradite Mr Guzman.

“The arrest highlights the excellent relationship between the US and Australian law

enforcement and legal agencies and demonstrates the continued value of the bilateral

Extradition Treaty between the US and Australia in bringing people to account for their alleged criminal actions,” he said.

“Australia is no safe haven for criminals. The AFP and its partner agencies across the globe are relentless in ensuring those wanted for crimes face justice.”

The AFP’s FAST targets offenders wanted for murder, manslaughter, drug trafficking, money laundering and serious fraud.

The AFP and US authorities worked closely with the Australian Attorney‑General’s Department throughout the extradition process.