Latin Americans lured to Russian military via fraudulent job offers

A growing number of Latin American citizens are reportedly being deceived by fraudulent job offers on social media, specifically TikTok, to join the Russian military.

In Chile, 30-year-old Rodolfo Antonio Chico Ketterer has been missing since June after traveling to Russia for a promised job that included travel, housing, and a significant signing bonus. His family believes he was integrated into the Russian Army after being told he would undergo military police training.

Similar patterns have emerged in Peru and Argentina. The Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported 459 similar cases, including 11 deaths and 114 missing persons. One notable case involves Isaac Vidal Lavado, who allegedly orchestrated scams promising monthly salaries of $2,600. In Argentina, authorities dismantled a network targeting citizens with false administrative job offers. One Argentine, Gianni Dante Bettiga, is reportedly serving in the Donetsk region after being misled by individuals posing as Brazilian tourists.

Diplomatic efforts are currently underway in multiple countries to locate and repatriate the affected citizens.