Spanish
Santiago de los Caballeros. – The National Police, in coordination with the Public Ministry, reported that an investigation is underway into a delicate extortion case involving two women allegedly victims of a virtual kidnapping in the Ranchito Pichet sector, Jacagua municipality, Santiago province.
According to the preliminary report, in the morning of Saturday, August 23, a citizen alerted the authorities about the possible deprivation of liberty of two adult women, who were located minutes later inside a Hyundai Tucson vehicle, red in color, in good physical condition although visibly nervous.
When interviewed, they explained that they had received calls from international numbers from unknown individuals, who, under threats against their integrity, demanded the sum of RD$500,000.00. As part of the extortion, the criminals requested bank transfers, with the victims managing to deposit RD$200,000.00 moments before the police intervention.
Two men were also at the scene, who claimed to have received similar calls and threats from the alleged extortionists.
The four people were confirmed to be in good physical condition, with no signs of violence, although with visible signs of emotional distress due to the situation they had experienced.
As this is a case with possible connections to international cybercrime networks, the file was sent to the Central Directorate of Investigation of High Technology Crimes and Offenses (DICAT) in Santiago, to deepen the investigations and find those responsible.
The National Police reiterates its firm commitment to the fight against these criminal modalities and urges citizens to report any similar situation, avoiding making money transfers without prior verification with the competent authorities.
