Final plea deals in massive bank fraud operation

Plea deals were made this week for the last three defendants remaining in a massive bank fraud case uncovered by Manhattan Beach police officers.

Luiz Ceron, 37, and Jose Ortiz, 32, were each sentenced to five years in prison on Tuesday in Torrance Superior Court, according to Detective Joe Aiello.

Using a computer, Ceron manufactured fake identifications, including Mexican Consular cards, which he sold to others.

The others opened up bank accounts with the cards.

Then, they wrote checks from one account, deposited them into another and then withdrew the non-existent funds.

The operation cost four banks more than $140,000, Aiello said.

Ortiz was the "runner" in the operation who acted as a middleman between Ceron and others in the ring.

Also taking a deal was 35-year-old Adriana Camacho, Ortiz's wife, who was not charged for the bank fraud but for using a fake identification to work at a hotel.