Dominican authorities dismantle transnational fraud ring targeting U.S. residents

Santo Domingo.- Dominican authorities have dismantled an alleged transnational criminal organization accused of extorting, blackmailing, and defrauding U.S. residents in a scheme used to generate and launder illicit funds. The operation, dubbed XL526, resulted in the arrest of 20 individuals following 28 coordinated raids in the provinces of Santiago and Puerto Plata.

The operation was led by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, through the General Directorate of Prosecution and the Santiago Prosecutor’s Office, with support from the National Police, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Santo Domingo, and the Organized Crime Task Force. Prosecutors allege that the group systematically targeted victims in the United States, obtaining money through fraudulent schemes before transferring and concealing the proceeds through money laundering operations.

Among those arrested are the alleged leaders of the organization: Carlos José Parra Lantigua, Eliardo Peña Almonte, Renso Darío González Almonte, Josiel Pichardo Cabrera, and Walinton Sosa Almonte. Authorities said the network operated from the municipality of Jacagua in Santiago, where members allegedly recruited victims through advertisements and then subjected them to extortion and blackmail using pre-established scripts. Investigators continue to question additional suspects as the case advances.