Santiago Prosecutor’s Office Files Charges Against 46 Individuals and 5 Legal Entities in Connection with Cybercrime Network
The Santiago Prosecutor’s Office has officially charged 46 individuals and 5 legal entities for their involvement in a sophisticated organized cybercrime network. The network was responsible for defrauding thousands of US citizens and was dismantled in an operation known as Operation Discovery. The indictment consists of more than 1,300 pages of evidence, including 750 documentary evidence, 600 material evidence, and a dozen expert evidence, as well as testimonies from over 130 witnesses. The accused have been alleged to have applied strategies and methods such as blackmail, sexual extortion, and identity theft to scam victims out of their resources.
Strong Accusations Against Transnational Crime
According to Osvaldo Bonilla, the chief prosecutor of Santiago, the accusations are robust in the context of transnational crime. He highlighted the importance of completing such innovative investigations successfully and applauded the incredible work carried out by the investigative prosecutors and their teams.
Illegal Maneuvers Uncovered
The illegal maneuvers of the network were uncovered through the transactions and the number of calls and data registered in the electronic equipment seized during the investigation. The operation, which was carried out under the coordination of the Public Ministry, saw support from the National Police’s Criminal Investigations Department (DICRIM), Anti-Money Laundering Specialized Prosecutor’s Office, High Tech Crimes and Crimes Prosecutor’s Office, and the Embassy of the United States.
Asset Confiscation
The Public Ministry has asked for the confiscation of over 90 movable and immovable assets that form part of the material evidence seized from the criminal structure.
Individual and Entity Accusations
The accused individuals include Sucre Rafael Rodríguez Ortiz, José Eliezer Rodríguez Ortiz, Jhonatan Francisco Vásquez Ventura, and Máximo Miguel Mena Peña. The list also includes Emmanuel Castro Ozuna, Josué de Jesús Marte Monsanto, Mayobanex Braulio Rodríguez Fernández, Ángel Rafael Peralta Guzmán, Anabel Adames, and many others. The companies formally accused are Televoice International Group Sucrod, SRL; Rodcat Contact Center, SRL; Homeserve Contact Center, SRL; Global Comunicaciones Dominicana, GLOCODO, SRL, and Enmanuel Jerez y Peralta Industrial, SRL.
Criminal Charges
The defendants face criminal charges for violating articles 59, 60, 258, 265, and 266, 400 and 405 of the Dominican Penal Code. They are also being charged with violation of articles 14, 15, and 18 of Law 53-07 on Crimes and High Technology Crimes, as well as articles 2, 3, and 4 of Law 155-17 on Money Laundering. These charges involve fraudulent activities through cyber means, illicit obtaining of funds, falsification of documents and signatures, complicity, association of criminals, extortion, and fraud.
Additional Charges
Individuals such as Sucre Rafael Rodríguez Ortiz and Máximo Miguel Mena Peña are also being accused of violating articles 66 and 70 of Law 631-16 on the Control and Regulation of Weapons, Ammunition, and Related Materials. Emmanuel Castro Ozuna has been accused of violating articles 4 letter D, 6 letter A, and 75 paragraph 2 of Law 50-88 on Drugs and Controlled Substances, in addition to violating article 66, paragraph V and 70 of Law 631-16 on the Control and Regulation of Weapons, Ammunition, and Related Materials. Meanwhile, defendants Víctor Manuel Hernández and Jean Carlos Rosa Vargas are being charged with drug possession.