PDI detectives and former prosecutor Fodich in preventive detention for extortive kidnappings in Santiago
Santiago's Seventh Guarantee Court ordered preventive detention for a PDI sub-commissioner, three civilians and former prosecutor Vinko Fodich over extortive kidnappings.
Criminal gang with detectives and former prosecutor faces preventive detention over kidnappings in Santiago
Santiago's Seventh Guarantee Court left the final accused members of an organisation dedicated to extortive kidnappings in preventive detention this Sunday, according to infobae.com. Among those detained are three civilians and Police Investigation (PDI) sub-commissioner Pablo Gajardo Romo.
Gajardo Romo thus joins former prosecutor Vinko Fodich, inspector Rodrigo Navarrete Umaña and officer Sebastián Gajardo, all formalised the previous Friday and also in preventive detention. The charges against the group are extortive kidnapping, illicit association, extortion and illegal weapons possession.
Judge Mario Cayul substantiated the precautionary measure by stating that the accused represent a danger to society and that their freedom could compromise ongoing investigations. The Supranational Prosecutor's Office and the PDI's Internal Affairs Department have 150 days to conclude the inquiries.
The central role of former prosecutor Fodich
For Vinko Fodich, this is the second active criminal case. The former lawyer already faces a process for money laundering, linked to his participation as a partner in a currency exchange house founded by a Chinese businessman. Fodich had also served as defender of members of the Clan Chen, held in the high-security prison in Talca.
His trajectory includes the position of deputy prosecutor in Curicó and Santiago between 2001 and 2010, a period in which he handled high-profile cases, including that of María del Pilar Pérez López, known as "La Quintrala de Providencia". Subsequently he held positions in the Public Security portfolio and in the Sub-secretariat of Crime Prevention. In 2024 he was formalised for driving under the influence of alcohol in the municipality of Providencia, an accident in which two people sustained serious injuries.
Victims linked to Clan Chen
The victims of the kidnappings were Chinese citizens related to Clan Chen, an international network that operated from Chilean territory to defraud United States citizens. The organisation had been partially dismantled in January 2026 following an FBI alert.
According to the background of the case, Fodich informed the detectives—belonging to the criminal brigade (Bicrim) of La Pintana—about the movements of the victims. The officers transported them under false pretences to facilities set up to simulate PDI headquarters.
Once on the premises, Fodich appeared, taking advantage of the trust he had accumulated as former defender of the accused themselves. He pretended to assist the victims and urged them to pay the substantial sums that the gang demanded from them in exchange for their freedom.
Source: Google News CL — Crime