Argentina prosecutors seek trial for dating‑app extortion ring linked to soldier’s suicide

Prosecutor Federico Iuspa of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office No. 1 in San Isidro asked a federal judge to elevate to partial trial seven suspects accused of running an organized crime group that extorted men through fake profiles on dating applications. The alleged leaders, identified as 23‑year‑old T.M.F. and 25‑year‑old M.J.D.A., allegedly operated from prison units in Buenos Aires Province and used their partners to manage virtual‑wallet accounts and phone chips for the scheme. The gang forced victims to transfer money, including soldier Rodrigo Gómez, who transferred 1.413 million pesos to two Mercado Pago accounts before taking his own life at the presidential residence in Olivos in December. The prosecutor seeks aggravated illegal association charges for the leaders and co‑author extortion charges for all members, as well as prosecution for instigating Gómez’s suicide under article 83 of the penal code.