The Justice Department has charged seven individuals involved in an intercontinental crime ring that engaged in “crime tourism” across the U.S. to steal over $5 million in goods that were sent to South America. The operation was described as a concierge service for criminals, with thieves from South America coming to Los Angeles to be given cars and directions to affluent areas across the country for burglaries, shoplifting, and fraud. Thieves committed hundreds of robberies in various states, with the organizers acting as quarterbacks for the criminal team.
The individuals indicted, including Juan Carlos Thola-Duran and Ana Maria Arriagada, are facing charges ranging from wire fraud to money laundering for their involvement in widespread burglary, theft, and other crimes from 2018 to 2024. The group allegedly used a rental car company to carry out the scheme, stealing credit and debit cards, maxing them out at stores, and buying luxury goods before the cards were canceled. They also defrauded pandemic relief programs and used structured withdrawals to avoid detection.
The stolen items were sent to South American countries via FedEx or flights from Los Angeles International Airport, and profits were used to purchase real estate and horses. The group coordinated the scheme using WhatsApp and operated with a level of sophistication comparable to major corporations. The arrests were the result of a collaborative effort between FBI agents and law enforcement agencies. The Department hopes these arrests will deter similar criminal operations in the future and reduce thefts and burglaries in communities across the nation.
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