A gang swindled nearly 60 people with the method known as “customs”. The criminals offered products over the internet and gave fake invoices from customs agencies so that the victims believed they could pick up their product.
On Wednesday morning the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) of Alajuela arrested 11 men and one woman in different raids.
When the accused contacted the victims via telephone, they gave fake names and made them believe they were employees from customs agencies or the Ministry of Finance.
The proceedings were carried out in San Josecito in San Rafael de Heredia, San Pablo de Heredia, Barreal, Pavas, San Sebastián, Sagrada Familia, and Liberia. In addition, suspects were arrested in Guápiles, La Guácima de Alajuela and in Barrio México, San José.
The judicial police registered more than 57 victims of scams with this modus operandi. Apparently, the gang sold products online. They included items such as engines, construction materials, video games, liquors, meats, and even vehicle tires.
The products were at a very good price, so potential customers agreed to make the purchase – on public roads – in the vicinity of Juan Santamaría airport. There, the suspects deliver invoices from the customs agencies, and the buyers “only had to pick them up in the premises”.
The agencies then informed them that the invoice was fake. The victims paid between ¢ 75 thousand and ¢ 5 million colones.
The judicial police assures that the gang could have deceived more people and therefore asks the population to approach the OIJ of Alajuela with information to file complaints. During the raids the authorities confiscated cell phones, SIM cards and documentation that would serve as evidence.
The suspects respond to the surnames Meléndez, Rojas, Jiménez, Mora, Corrales, Alfaro, Campos, Tenorio, Miranda, Solís, Madrigal and Villalobos.