Víctor Arias Richmond, mayor of El Guarco in Cartago, is a victim of scammers who are using his name to contact local government’s suppliers and people in order to get personal and bank account information.
It all started six months ago when people accused Richmond of being a thief. The scammers hired a transportation service to allegedly pick the mayor at the airport. They called people to charge the purchase of goods and services, used Banco Nacional accounts and used its music on hold, so people felt confortable and provided their bank information.
Several people filed a complaint to the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ), but Richmond will not be able to also file a complaint, since his money hasn’t been stolen.
“We don’t know who is doing this, we provided telephone and bank account numbers to authorities, but they explained that those scammers are part of huge organized gangs and sometimes they even operate from prison. What saddens me is the fact that they are using my name and it’s having an influence on my image. Besides, a lot of people have been affected,”
Richmond declared.
The bank was unaware of this situation. Michelle Mitchell, Banco Nacional de Costa Rica’s spokewoman, said:
“we will never ask for people’s personal information.”
If you receive any call inquiring about your personal information and bank account, call 2212-2000 or write an email to bnseg@bncr.fi.cr.