Dominican Republic Crackdown on Business Embezzlement Leads to Widespread Raids and Arrests
A major operation targeting embezzlement in business has resulted in the arrest of dozens of individuals and the seizure of significant assets in the Dominican Republic. Operation Discovery 2.0, supported by law enforcement agencies from New York and US Homeland Security Investigations, dismantled a network of call centers that specialized in extorting money from vulnerable senior citizens.
The Operation
The operation, which followed a 13-month investigation into the modus operandi of the network, uncovered a sophisticated scheme in which scammers would contact elderly victims with fabricated stories about their grandchildren being involved in car accidents and needing bail to be released from jail. The scammers would then demand large sums of money from the victims, often threatening violence if they did not comply.
Raids and Arrests
As part of the operation, police conducted 15 simultaneous raids in the provinces of Santiago and Puerto Plata, targeting three alleged call centers and seizing:
- Computers
- Cell phones
- Firearms
- Cash
- Vehicles
- Other electronic devices
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has requested that the arrested individuals be held in preventive detention for a period of 18 months.
Previous Efforts
This is not the first time authorities have targeted embezzlement in business in the Dominican Republic. In March 2022, Operation Discovery 1.0 led to the indictment of 46 formal defendants and five companies accused of defrauding US citizens through sexual and economic extortion and identity theft.
International Cooperation
The success of these operations highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating financial crimes and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation. As authorities continue to crack down on embezzlement in business, it is clear that no one is above the law, regardless of their age or location.
By working together across borders and agencies, authorities can effectively combat financial crimes and bring perpetrators to justice, ensuring a safer and more secure environment for all individuals.