Dominican Republic Dismantles Transnational Cybercrime Network, Seizes $400,000 and Luxury Vehicles
Major Operation Against Transnational Cybercrime Network
In a significant operation, authorities in the Dominican Republic have dismantled a transnational cybercrime network believed to have defrauded hundreds of US citizens of more than $200 million. The criminal organization, which allegedly used various identity theft schemes to extract money from victims, was shut down after a series of raids carried out by hundreds of law enforcement officials on March 2.
Operation Discovery: A Year-Long Investigation
The operation, dubbed “Operation Discovery,” was launched over a year ago and involved authorities arresting around 70 people who allegedly worked for the cybercrime ring in call centers across the country. During the raids, officials seized:
- $400,000 in cash
- Luxury vehicles
- Electronic equipment
- Firearms
US agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also carried out simultaneous raids in New York City, although no further information has been released on those operations.
Tactics Used by the Criminal Network
The criminal group used various tactics to extract money from victims, including:
- Caller-ID spoofing services
- Identity theft
- Extortion
- Targeting individuals with prescriptions for highly controlled drugs and medications, offering them medicine without a doctor’s prescription and then demanding payment in exchange for delivering the medication.
Trafficking Illegal Firearms
The network is believed to have trafficked illegal firearms with the help of another criminal organization, known as the Trinitarios, which has been linked to arms trafficking and racketeering in the US.
Money Laundering and Financial Crime
The Attorney General’s Office estimated that the cybercrime network moved around $250 million, using:
- Cryptocurrencies
- Remittance companies
- Fraudulent money transfers to launder its proceeds.
The Growing Threat of Cybercrime in the Caribbean
The dismantling of the cybercrime network highlights the growing threat posed by financial crime operations in the Caribbean. Cybercrime has increased significantly in the Dominican Republic since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with authorities reporting that it had become more lucrative than drug trafficking during initial lockdowns.
The Fight Against Corruption and Organized Crime
The country has long-established laws and regulations aimed at fighting cybercrime, including a special prosecutor’s office that focuses on crimes such as card cloning, phishing scams, and identity theft. Since coming to power in August 2020, President Abinader has prioritized the fight against corruption and organized crime, with a focus on going after graft in government.
Regional Efforts to Combat Cybercrime
The Caribbean region is also seeing a growing trend of cybercrime, with numerous Ponzi and pyramid schemes reported in several countries since the start of the pandemic. In response, some countries have passed legislation to combat the issue, including new changes to a cybercrime bill in Guyana that fines cybercriminals up to $5 million.
A Major Blow to Organized Crime
The Dominican Republic’s success in dismantling the transnational cybercrime network is seen as a major blow to organized crime in the region and a step forward in the fight against financial crime.