Mayor Ulises Rodríguez reports $3.4 million fraud recovered in Santiago de los Caballeros

Mayor Ulises Rodríguez of Santiago de los Caballeros disclosed that a cyber‑fraud scheme attempted to steal RD$5 million from the municipal accounts. Between April 24‑25, the perpetrators succeeded in transferring RD$3.4 million, with two separate withdrawals of RD$900 000 and RD$300 000.

The city’s finance team alerted the bank and authorities, enabling rapid action that recovered the transferred funds. About RD$600 000 that had been withdrawn was later returned, and the remaining money was secured through bank and police interventions. The mayor said the incident prompted stronger security protocols for the municipal treasury.

Rodríguez warned that electronic scams are on the rise, urging residents to be cautious of fraudulent calls, messages, and emails that impersonate bank officials. He highlighted that criminal groups often use third‑party accounts, sometimes belonging to low‑income individuals, to move illicit money.