An operation by the Attorney General’s Office made it possible to dismantle a criminal network known as ‘Los Mágicos‘, dedicated to defrauding citizens through false tourist packages. Four people were captured in the framework of an investigation that revealed an illegal call center, from which they offered tourist packages to popular destinations such as Cartagena, Santa Marta, Barranquilla, Cali and cities in the Coffee Region.
According to the authorities, the modus operandi of this group consisted of offering attractive tourism offers by telephone, deceiving their victims with high-demand destinations. People who fell into the trap made advance payments but never received the promised service, resulting in significant financial losses.
To date, more than 130 victims have been identified who were defrauded by this network, with a total amount of damages exceeding 300 million pesos. The Prosecutor’s Office indicated that the group operated with sophisticated telephone marketing strategies and that the victims trusted the appearance of legality, given that the scammers used names and logos of recognized travel agencies.
The prosecutor in charge of the investigation stated that ‘Los Mágicos’ were dedicated to making promises of “all-inclusive” trips at low prices, a tactic that was very attractive to consumers, especially in times of high tourist demand. However, once the victims made the payments, the contact telephone numbers stopped responding and the trips were never completed.
During the arrests, the authorities found sufficient evidence to verify the existence of an organized structure that was in charge of calls, collecting payments and preparing false documents related to tourist packages. In addition, it was established that the fraudsters used bank accounts in the names of third parties to avoid detection.
The Prosecutor’s Office has reiterated its call to citizens to report any type of fraud related to tourist services and has reported that investigations are still ongoing. Meanwhile, ‘Los Mágicos’ face charges of aggravated fraud, falsification of documents and conspiracy to commit a crime.
With this operation, the authorities deal a significant blow to a type of fraud that has affected numerous Colombians and that highlights the importance of caution when making advance payments, especially in unverified services or with suspicious offers.
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2024-11-14 05:23:00
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**Interview with Prosecutor Sara Mendoza on the Dismantling of ‘Los Mágicos’ Fraud Network**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Prosecutor Mendoza. Can you start by telling us how the ‘Los Mágicos’ network operated?
**Prosecutor Mendoza:** Thank you for having me. The ‘Los Mágicos’ network operated through a sophisticated illegal call center where they would contact potential victims, offering them appealing tourist packages to popular destinations like Cartagena and Barranquilla. They used marketing tactics that mimicked legitimate travel agencies, which gave individuals a false sense of security.
**Interviewer:** That sounds very deceptive. How many victims have been identified, and what were the financial implications of these scams?
**Prosecutor Mendoza:** So far, we have identified over 130 victims, and the total financial damage has exceeded 300 million pesos. Victims often made advance payments under the impression they were booking legitimate trips, only to find the contact numbers go silent after payment.
**Interviewer:** What measures did your office take to dismantle this organization?
**Prosecutor Mendoza:** Our investigation revealed the organized structure behind ‘Los Mágicos.’ We conducted surveillance and gathered evidence that led to the arrest of four individuals involved in the operation. These arrests were crucial in disrupting the network.
**Interviewer:** What precautions can travelers take to avoid falling victim to such scams?
**Prosecutor Mendoza:** I advise travelers to book excursions through established and reputable companies, preferably in person or via trusted websites. Always verify the legitimacy of the business through reviews and contact details. If an offer seems too good to be true, it likely is.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Prosecutor Mendoza. It’s crucial for travelers to remain vigilant and informed.
**Prosecutor Mendoza:** Thank you for raising awareness on this issue. Together, we can help prevent others from being victimized.
