Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has issued a stark warning regarding the increasing involvement of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in financial fraud schemes, leveraging technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to perpetrate sophisticated crimes. In its recent Financial Fraud Assessment report, Interpol outlines how organized crime groups are integrating cryptocurrencies with ransomware business models to launch enhanced fraud campaigns globally.
Jürgen Stock, Interpol’s Secretary-General, emphasized the evolving technological landscape’s role in expanding the scope and complexity of organized crime. “The rapid technological changes and the sheer volume of organized crime have led to the development of new fraudulent methods, victimizing individuals, businesses, and governments alike,” Stock stated. He urged for immediate action, highlighting the necessity for increased reporting of financial crimes and bolstered investment in law enforcement training to tackle these emerging challenges effectively.
The report underscores the prevalence of various fraud forms worldwide, notably in online investments, advance payments, bank accounts, technical support, and phishing — a deceitful technique aimed at extracting personal and financial information from unsuspecting individuals.
Specifically in the American continent, identity theft and financial fraud are increasingly perpetrated through facilities operating as “call-centers.” The CJNG, alongside a Brazilian criminal group, was identified as key players in these illegal activities. According to Interpol, there is growing evidence that Latin American criminal factions, including Comando Vermelho and the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), are actively engaging in financial fraud, underscoring a worrying trend in the region’s criminal landscape.
Notably, the CJNG has been implicated in timeshare fraud, targeting primarily elderly American citizens. This particular scam involves fraudulent agents contacting potential timeshare clients, demanding upfront fees for taxes and commissions under the guise of refundable costs post-sale. However, victims soon discover the nonexistence of the initial offer and the subsequent loss of their funds.
The United States Treasury Department has pinpointed Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, as a significant operational hub for the CJNG’s fraudulent activities. Between March 2 and April 27, 2023, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on 27 Mexican entities associated with the CJNG for their involvement in these deceitful operations. The escalating trend of financial fraud, exacerbated by technological advancements and the involvement of organized crime syndicates like the CJNG, presents a complex challenge requiring international cooperation and robust preventative measures.
