A man accused of online extortion was arrested in Mérida following an investigation that originally began in Quintana Roo.
According to the State Attorney General’s Office, the suspect used fake profiles and posed as a woman to extort money through threats. He was transferred to Cancún to face charges before a judge.
The complaint was filed by Marco Antonio “N,” who stated that between May 14 and 20, he was blackmailed while using dating apps. During those days, he communicated with a user identified as Juan Pablo ‘N’, alias ‘El Argentino’ (The Argentine), a 43-year-old from Argentina.
Dressed as a woman and using WhatsApp, this is how ‘El Argentino’ scammed people.
It all started when, after chatting on WhatsApp and believing he was talking to a woman, the exchange escalated, and they agreed to meet at a location in the city.
Marco Antonio canceled the meeting at the last minute, and according to his testimony, the other user reacted immediately, demanding three thousand pesos and threatening to release intimate messages and material.
The victim accepted the payment out of fear that the contents would be released. Days later, the alleged extortionist demanded another 4,000 pesos, which were also deposited.
Finally, he demanded an additional 12,000 pesos. Of that last sum, Marco Antonio only transferred 1,800 before blocking him and going to the Prosecutor’s Office.
With the formal complaint filed, law enforcement agents traced phone numbers and accounts linked to the suspect.
The investigation led them to a residence in the Juan Pablo II neighborhood of Mérida. With the support of the Yucatán Prosecutor’s Office, an operation was mounted that concluded with the man’s arrest without further incident.
Authorities are searching for more potential victims of ‘El Argentino’ (The Argentine); he posed as a woman to gain men’s trust.
The detainee was transferred to the specialized kidnapping and extortion unit located on Huayacán Avenue, where he was placed at the disposal of the judge who issued the arrest warrant.
The investigation remains open to determine if there are more victims, as the modus operandi included posing as a woman to gain trust and then using threats to pressure victims.
Authorities are asking anyone who recognizes him to come forward to the Public Prosecutor’s Office to file a report.
Source: telediario
