During the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Moreno refereed the round of 16 match between tournament favourites Italy and co-hosts South Korea on June 18.

Following Italy's elimination from the tournament after a 2–1 extra time loss, Moreno's performance was criticised for several decisions: he awarded South Korea a controversial penalty in the first half (which eventually failed to capitalise) and later disallowed a possible golden goal by Damiano Tommasi for a non existent offside, as well as showing a second yellow card to Francesco Totti for an arguable dive in South Korea's penalty area in the first half extra time while he was 37 meters away from play.

[1][2] In September 2002, while seeking election to the Quito City Council, Moreno was suspended for twenty matches[3] and investigated by Ecuadorian football authorities.

Quito and Barcelona S.C. FIFA also investigated him due to controversies "...in Japan, Italy and South America over the past few months".

[6] Moreno was arrested on 21 September 2010 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City while trying to smuggle in six kilograms (over thirteen pounds) of heroin, which was hidden in his underwear.