The international operation against a network dedicated to processing false visas resulted in the capture of three Americans accused in Medellín: Edwin, Andrés and Danna Pamela. Two other suspects, Julián and Viviana, were arrested in Sacramento (California) and the Dallas (Texas) area, respectively, while one more accused, Esteban, remains a fugitive in Colombia. The three detained in Medellín will face extradition proceedings.
According to authorities, members of the organization posed as US officials and improperly used insignia, seals and emblems of official US agencies.
Through Facebook pages and multiple fraudulent websites, they convinced victims that they were accessing a real process to apply for work visas. However, the entire procedure was false and was operated from call centers in Medellín.
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The victims, believing they were advancing a legitimate procedure, made international bank transfers to pay supposed official fees. Subsequently, they traveled to US embassies convinced that they had scheduled appointments, but upon arrival they discovered that these did not exist.
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Within the criminal structure, Edwin supervised at least eight call center offices, defined how much to charge and what fraudulent platforms to use. Andrés led the creation of the fake websites and coordinated technical support, while Danna Pamela managed a call center and designed part of the portals used in the scam.
The arrests were made after a coordinated operation in four countries. In Colombia, the Dijín and the Attorney General’s Office participated, who also raided three call centers linked to the network.
The authorities of the United States and Colombia indicated that the search for fugitive Esteban Robledo Correa will continue.
Courtesy photo.
Courtesy photo.
Courtesy photo.
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