Fraud gang dismantled in Entre Ríos: seven raids and three arrested
Entre Ríos Police dismantled an organisation operating from Misiones and Buenos Aires using the "engagement" fraud scheme. Three people were arrested in simultaneous operations across several provinces.
Seven raids across three provinces following more than a month of investigation
The Islas del Ibicuy Departmental Command of the Entre Ríos Police dismantled a fraud gang that operated from the provinces of Misiones and Buenos Aires, according to a report by elonce.com. The operation resulted in seven raids across different jurisdictions, the arrest of three people and the seizure of numerous items linked to the case.
The organisation employed a criminal method known as "engagement". Its principal leaders were based in Misiones, whilst other members operated from Buenos Aires. The identified victims are mostly residents of the Islas del Ibicuy department and one person from Chajarí, in the Federación department.
The investigation lasted more than a month and was led by the Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Division of Islas del Ibicuy. Officers carried out analysis work and cross-referencing of data in coordination with the Argentine Federal Police and the Misiones Police. Based on the results obtained, the courts ordered the raids and house searches.
Arrests in Federal Capital and Buenos Aires province
Three operations were carried out in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, headed by the sub-chief of the Departmental Command alongside personnel from the Federal Police. Two adult men were arrested there. The investigators seized firearms, mobile phones, documentation, cheques, stamps, Posnet-type payment devices, pen drives and credit cards.
Two further raids were conducted in Buenos Aires province territory, also coordinated with the Federal Police. These proceedings resulted in the arrest of an adult woman, identified as responsible for the alleged fraud. In her possession were a mobile phone and a netbook-type laptop computer, both incorporated into the court proceedings for analysis.
Seizure of vehicles and documentation in Misiones
The remaining two raids were carried out in the town of San Vicente, Misiones province. Police officers seized two mobile phones, two number plates corresponding to a Volkswagen Amarok and a file linked to a Peugeot 208. Documentation relating to two Volkswagen Amarok pick-up trucks of interest to the case was also seized, along with an ignition key from one of those vehicles.
The authorities did not specify the total amounts defrauded or the exact number of victims. The three arrested individuals and the seized items were transferred to the Islas del Ibicuy Departmental Command, where they were placed at the disposal of the courts.
The case is filed with the Court of Guarantees and Transition No. 2 in Gualeguaychú, presided over by judge Natalia Lorena Céspedes, with the involvement of the Villa Paranacito Public Prosecutor's Office, headed by public prosecutor Gastón Popelka.
Source: Google News AR — Buenos Aires