El Salvador authorities dismantle beverage‑distribution fraud gang

The Fiscalía General de la República and the Policía Nacional Civil carried out coordinated raids in Santa Ana and San Salvador, arresting seven members of a criminal ring that defrauded a national beverage distributor of more than $502,000. The gang’s leader, who worked as a marketing specialist for the company, used his position to assign unauthorized redemption points to bars and stores, which were then exchanged for prizes and products that were sold for cash.

During the operation investigators seized mobile phones, banking documents, over $57,000 in cash and other evidence.

The detained individuals face charges of illicit association and computer fraud and will be processed by the courts.