An investigation by the Police Bureau culminated in the presentation of criminal charges by the Department of Justice against 10 people who allegedly deposited false checks in banking institutions through the photo deposit mechanism, appropriating over $70,000 through fraud.
Prosecutor Ileana Martínez Rosado, of the Economic Crimes Division of the Department of Justice, filed charges of fraud, aggravated illegal appropriation and transfer of forged documents against Emanuel Pagán Chévere, Alondra Cuevas Esquilín, Sulymar D. Medina Cruz, Luis A. Rivera, Kevin J. Jiménez Matos, Thais A. Olivo Rodríguez, Alfredo J. Cruz Polanco, Marco A Santiago Marrero, Ninoshka M. Rivera Marrero, and Daniel K. Osterman Díaz.
According to the investigation of the Division of Investigations of Theft and Fraud against Banking, Financial and Cooperative Institutions of the Police Bureau, the defendants forged 13 checks from a company dedicated to the distribution of food, they deposited them in their accounts through separate transactions and, later, they collected them.
“Fraud schemes through cybernetic platforms have caused millions in losses to banking institutions on the Island, as well as damage to individuals and companies. For this reason, the Economic Crimes Division of the Department of Justice is working strategically together with the Police Bureau to investigate and prosecute this type of crime that evolves as technology changes. We continue to see the results of these efforts,” said Justice Secretary Domingo Emanuelli Hernández in a press release.
“The expenses that companies incur as a result of fraud increase their operational cost, as well as that of financial institutions, which at the end of the day ends up being paid by the consumer. For this reason, through the Theft and Fraud Investigations Division for Banking, Financial and Cooperative Institutions, we are giving the priority that these complaints deserve,” added Police Commissioner Antonio López Figueroa.
Judge Glenn Velázquez Morales, of the San Juan Court of First Instance, determined cause for arrest against nine of the 10 defendants. Meanwhile, Judge Iraida Rodríguez Castro found cause for the arrest of Thais A. Olivo Rodríguez. The global bail set was $561,000. The preview was scheduled for July 11.
“Each defendant is exposed to a sentence of eight years in prison. It is unfortunate that men and women with a lifetime ahead of them risk losing their freedom by committing fraudulent acts. If they thought we wouldn’t catch them, they were wrong. May these prosecutions serve as a lesson and a deterrent to everyone,” explained Rodney Ríos Medina, director of the Economic Crimes Division of the Department of Justice.
As reported, in November of last year, the Department of Justice developed an alliance between the Puerto Rico Banking Association and the Office of the Chief Prosecutor to strengthen the prosecution of fraud and cybercrime cases on the island before the high incidence that has been registered after the advent of new technologies.
