Costa Rica authorities arrest two women in driving course scam

Two women have been arrested by the Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ) in Costa Rica for an alleged scam involving driving test preparation courses. The suspects, identified by the surnames Sánchez Bolaños and Romero Barquero, reportedly targeted over 200 victims through social media advertisements.

The suspects allegedly charged between ¢185,000 and ¢220,000 per course. After receiving advance payments, they would reportedly delay the start of the lessons using various excuses, such as instructor illness or vehicle accidents, before eventually blocking the clients' contact information.

While the OIJ is currently investigating 47 formal complaints, the Consumer Support Office has recorded an additional 154 cases. The total economic damage is estimated to exceed ¢9 million. During raids in Heredia and San José, authorities seized mobile phones, computers, and numerous SIM cards.