He launches Operation Nest against a network dedicated to committing real estate scams
SANTO DOMINGO.-The Public Prosecutor's Office, in coordination with a team from the National Police, arrested Emmanuel Rivera Ledesma and other members of a network that defrauded people of millions of pesos by offering them homes in supposed real estate projects, through multiple fraudulent maneuvers.
In the deployment of Operation Nido, which began early Wednesday morning and is still in progress, the Public Ministry and the National Police carried out twenty-five (25) raids in San Cristóbal, Dajabón, Espaillat, Sánchez Ramírez and the National District, explains a press release from the Attorney General's Office (PGR).
A total of 170 police officers and 28 prosecutors proceeded to execute the search and arrest warrants against the targets of the investigation, while also seizing evidence linked to the case.
The investigation has revealed that at least 144 victims have filed complaints or reports with the Public Prosecutor's Office. The majority of those affected are working people who, through sacrifice, contributed significant sums of money to purchase a home they never received.
Furthermore, when several of them complained, they were threatened and intimidated by the ringleader of the network, Emmanuel Rivera Ledesma, who challenged them to go to justice, an instance in which, according to what he proclaimed, the victims would leave without achieving anything.
The criminal network used the corporate vehicles Indisarq, SRL, CRD Equipos Pesados, SRL, Grupo Wimar, SRL and Auto Xperts AFM SRL, through which they created a fraudulent real estate scheme to carry out scams, forgery, criminal association and money laundering to the detriment of the victims to whom they offered homes through seven real estate projects.
During the investigation, evidence was seized demonstrating that the accused, Emmanuel Rivera Ledesma, used the names of well-known people to deceive victims into believing he was being protected by individuals he didn't actually know. Evidence was also gathered regarding the lavish lifestyles enjoyed by several members of the network, financed by the money obtained from the victims.
As a result of the investigation, the accused Emmanuel Rivera Ledesma initiated a series of maneuvers with the aim of preventing the victims from filing complaints against him or withdrawing complaints already filed.
He also sought to have the victims sign new contracts and take other actions aimed at obstructing the investigation process, which shows that the accused and other members of the network must comply with a coercive measure that prevents them from destroying evidence and being a clear threat to the people defrauded.
In the next few hours, the Public Prosecutor's Office will proceed to request coercive measures against the members of the network who have been arrested.
