Panama DGI targeted in $40 million e‑Tax fraud scheme

A Panama Tribunal de Garantías ordered provisional detention of a suspect accused of organized crime and money‑laundering in the large‑scale “Pandora” operation against the Dirección General de Ingresos (DGI). The investigation uncovered a scheme that manipulated the e‑Tax 2.0 platform to erase or transfer tax credits, causing an estimated loss of more than $40 million to the state.

Adolfo Cosme Quintero was formally charged, voluntarily presented himself to authorities, and was placed in provisional detention. Prosecutors say Quintero directed the diversion of funds through a company called Master Eco Green, which sold the fraudulent credits to a bank. The broader case involves 18 individuals – 15 under provisional detention and three under house arrest – and spans three related investigations: E‑Tax 2.0, Publicano and Pandora.