# Rising commercial crime in La Plata

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rising-commercial-crime-in-la-plata
> Updated: 2026-08-19T00:45:00.000Z. Sources: 41. Developments: 2.

Criminal activity targeting businesses in La Plata, Argentina, has been reported through several incidents. An armed robbery at a lottery agency near Plaza Perón resulted in the owner sustaining a head wound after being struck with a firearm, while suspects fled with cash.

Local merchants have expressed concerns regarding a surge in robberies. The Wako health food chain reported 43 robberies across its 14 locations over a two-year period, including a recent incident where two men threatened an employee. Additionally, business owners along the Calle 8 corridor have identified a suspect who reportedly enters stores as a customer to scout merchandise before stealing products.

## Claims

- The PFA dismantled a criminal organization that used the identities of vulnerable people to move illicit funds. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The organization allegedly moved approximately 27 billion Argentine pesos. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The organization recruited vulnerable individuals by offering 80,000 pesos in exchange for their identity documents and biometric data. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Three individuals were arrested during the operation. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- One of the detainees, Albertina Mangini, is an official linked to the Patronato de Liberados in Buenos Aires province. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The investigation involves Ignacio Leonel Marchioni, who is already implicated in the Sur Finanzas case. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The operation involved nine simultaneous raids across Buenos Aires and Córdoba. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-19: Argentine Federal Police dismantle 27 billion peso laundering network

The Argentine Federal Police dismantled a network that laundered 27 billion pesos by using the stolen biometric data and identities of vulnerable people to operate illegal digital wallets and casino funds.

39 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/la-plata-merchants-report-rising-crime-and-frequent-robberies

### 2026-08-14: La Plata lottery agency robbed by suspects on a motorcycle

Two suspects on a motorcycle robbed a lottery agency in La Plata, injuring the owner and fleeing with the cash after firing a shot.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/la-plata-lottery-agency-robbed-by-suspects-on-a-motorcycle

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Cite as: Rising commercial crime in La Plata. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rising-commercial-crime-in-la-plata