CALIFORNIA – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced October 21 that more than 20 members of a transnational criminal organization were arrested across the U.S., including in California, Texas, and Florida, on charges of wire fraud and money laundering.
“The indictment announced today exposes a telemarketing scam that deliberately targeted our vulnerable elderly citizens and yielded more than $30 million in devastating financial losses to victims across the country,” U.S. attorney Eric Grant said.
Court documents show that Operation Silver Shores, targeting a transnational fraud ring in the U.S. and Latin America, led to 15 arrests of individuals accused of stealing from mostly elderly Americans.
Members of the criminal ring contacted victims via phone and email, posing as attorneys and government officials.
Many victims, current or former timeshare owners, were told they were entitled to money from legal settlements related to their properties.
The group used multiple tactics to defraud victims.
They used a web of shell companies, fake business names, and accounts to launder money from victims. The defendants used layered transactions to move victims’ money to co-conspirators while obscuring its origin.
The defendants transferred fraud proceeds to accounts controlled by members in the U.S., Latin America, and beyond.
Investigators have identified over 372 victims
The group evaded banks’ anti-money laundering and KYC rules by misrepresenting the true purpose of their activities. They lied to banks about the nature of the transactions.
The defendants funneled funds through fintechs, crypto exchanges, and smaller banks with lax AML/KYC safeguards.
Authorities say the scheme has affected over 372 victims, with losses exceeding $30 million. So far, investigators have seized more than $1.5 million in victim funds and continue to recover additional assets.
Arrested individuals
The following were arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering:
- Piera Salgado Teleki, 34, of Berkeley, Calif.
- Maira Liset Chavez, 36, of Marysville, Calif.
- Sergio Madrigal Lacayo Jr., 39, of Stockton, Calif.
- Celina Martinez, 44, of San Jose, Calif.
- Ashley Molina, 32, of Amarillo, Texas.
- Carlos Zamora, 40, of Port Saint Lucie, Florida.
- Stephanie Alonzo, 42, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
- Ricardo Plascencia, 32, of Amarillo, Texas.
- Samuel Lopez, 45, of Amarillo, Texas.
- Veronica Puentes, 40, of Port Saint Lucie, Florida.
Additional California residents arrested face federal charges related to wire fraud and money laundering, along with other counts.
- Antonio Palafox Aguilar, 33, Fresno
- Felix Alejandro, 39, Bakersfield (currently at UPS Florence-High)
- Alejandro Cuarenta, 33, Bakersfield
- Jennifer Magana, 29, Fresno
- Anthony Chavez, 27, Fremont
Defendants face up to 30 years in prison
If convicted, the defendants face up to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Money laundering convictions carry up to 20 years in prison and fines of $500,000 or twice the property value, whichever is higher.
The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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