Authorities arrest woman linked to pyramid scheme at Las Américas Airport

Santo Domingo.- The Public Prosecutor’s Office, in coordination with the General Directorate of Immigration (DGM), has arrested Francelis Hernández Tavárez, a woman linked to a fraudulent investment network operating a pyramid scheme promising annual returns exceeding 200%.

Hernández Tavárez, facing five fraud charges, was detained at José Francisco Peña Gómez Las Américas International Airport while attempting to travel to El Salvador. The Unit for the Capture of Fugitives, Rebels, and Convicts (UCAPREC), led by prosecutor Andry De Los Santos, took custody of her following referral by the DGM and transferred her to the Santo Domingo Oeste Judicial District for legal processing.

She was involved with Smart Blessing Consulting, SRL, a company formally registered but inactive for tax purposes, where her husband, fugitive Álvaro José Uribe, was the manager. Prosecutor Lenin Hernández from the Complex Cases Unit is investigating violations of the Securities Market Law (Law 249-17) and breach of trust under Article 408 of the Penal Code.

The fraudulent operation, based in Pedro Brand municipality, lured investors with promises of impossible high interest rates of up to 216% annually. Contracts with the front company were used to create a facade of legitimacy and attract trust. Co-defendants Alexis Solano Frías and Domerys Ramírez Espinal are also implicated.

The case is currently before the Third and Fourth Collegiate Courts in Santo Domingo Oeste. Hernández Tavárez has five outstanding contempt of court orders and is scheduled to appear in court next week to address these charges, with coercive measures expected to be imposed.