Frenaron un avión que iba a despegar de Córdoba para detener a una influencer acusada de estafar con criptomonedas
Crypto Scam Suspect Arrested at Gate Just Before Flight
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Córdoba, Argentina – A young woman’s flight to Buenos Aires was abruptly halted Wednesday morning when police officers from the Airport Security Police (PSA) boarded the flybondi plane and arrested her at the gate. Candela Salazar, 27, is accused of defrauding four individuals out of over $20,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scheme.
The arrest, which took place at Córdoba’s Ambrosio Taravella International Airport, caused a stir among passengers, who watched in surprise as officers searched for Salazar. The presence of high-ranking officials on the flight, including Córdoba’s Minister of Security Juan Pablo Quinteros, Police Chief Leonardo Gutiérrez, and head of the Anti-Narcotics Police Force Adrián Salcedo, added to the confusion.
However, the officials were not the target of the PSA operation. They were scheduled to attend an event with Argentina’s Minister of Security Patricia Bullrich.
Salazar was escorted off the plane by PSA agents and informed of her arrest by prosecutor Lourdes Quagliatti of Córdoba’s district II Instructional Court. The charges against Salazar are for “repeated scams,” according to authorities.
Four individuals filed a joint complaint against Salazar, alleging that their combined investments in her scheme totaled $22,900.
[Image: Salazar being escorted off the plane by PSA agents. Caption: Salazar was arrested by the PSA at Córdoba’s Ambrosio Taravella International Airport just before her flight to Buenos Aires. Photo: PSA]
The arrest highlights the growing concern over cryptocurrency scams in Argentina, where the volatile nature of digital currencies has attracted both legitimate investors and unscrupulous individuals seeking to exploit the system.
Instagram Influencer Arrested at Airport, Accused of Running Ponzi Scheme
Córdoba, Argentina – Candela Salazar, a popular social media influencer known for her lavish lifestyle and motivational content, was arrested at Córdoba’s international airport moments before boarding a flight to Buenos Aires. Salazar is accused of orchestrating a complex Ponzi scheme that defrauded numerous individuals.
Salazar, who boasted a large following on Instagram, cultivated an image of success and wanderlust, sharing photos from exotic locales like Egypt, Barcelona, and Milan. She marketed herself as a “capacitadora, motivadora, and hábil negociante” (trainer, motivator, and skilled negotiator), offering a marketing course titled “From the Office to the World: A Guide to Working and Traveling.”
Though, behind the glamorous facade, authorities allege Salazar was running a fraudulent investment scheme.
According to preliminary investigations led by prosecutor Alejandra Quagliatti, Salazar and at least one accomplice promised investors returns of 10 to 12 percent in U.S. dollars.
The scheme, which began in 2022, is believed to have targeted individuals seeking financial gain through Salazar’s online presence and promises of a better life.
Salazar’s arrest took place as police conducted simultaneous raids on her residence and the home of her partner, Nicolás Gionco, who is suspected of recruiting investors at a local gym. While Gionco was present at his residence, Salazar was not found at either location.
Authorities apprehended Salazar at the airport just as she was about to board a plane,preventing her from fleeing the country.
The case has sent shockwaves through Salazar’s online community, raising questions about the authenticity of her online persona and the dangers of blindly trusting social media influencers.
The inquiry is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone who may have been a victim of Salazar’s alleged scheme to come forward.
Influencer Arrested at Airport After investors allege Ponzi Scheme
Cordoba, Argentina – Popular Argentinian influencer Candela Salazar was arrested at Cordoba’s Ingeniero Ambrosio Taravella International Airport on Tuesday, moments before boarding a flight. The arrest comes after four investors filed complaints alleging Salazar orchestrated a Ponzi scheme, promising high returns on investments that never materialized.
Salazar, known for her lavish lifestyle and “De la Oficina al Mundo” (From the Office to the World) investment course, allegedly promised investors returns of 10 to 12% in US dollars.
According to the investors’ complaints, Salazar initially delivered on her promises, paying out early returns and attracting more participants. However, payments ceased in late 2023 and early 2024, leading to mounting frustration and accusations of fraud.
720×0_1.jpg” alt=”Candela Salazar, pictured on social media, promised high returns on investments.” width=”500″>
Candela Salazar, pictured on social media, promised high returns on investments.
The investors claim Salazar frequently enough used her frequent travels as an excuse for delays in responding to their requests for refunds.
Prosecutor Alejandra Quagliatti, leading the investigation, acted swiftly after receiving the complaints. Salazar’s arrest, just as she was about to leave the country, suggests authorities believe she posed a flight risk.
The case has sent shockwaves through Salazar’s online community, raising questions about the legitimacy of her investment program and the potential scale of the alleged fraud.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone who may have been affected by Salazar’s alleged scheme to come forward.
From Runway to Jail: Influencer BUSTED in Crypto Scam Just Before Takeoff
Córdoba, Argentina – Candela Salazar, a 27-year-old online influencer, found her escape to Buenos Aires abruptly cut short Wednesday. just as she was boarding a flybondi plane at Córdoba’s Ambrosio Taravella International Airport, she was intercepted by Airport Security Police (PSA) and arrested.
Salazar is accused of orchestrating a cryptocurrency investment scheme that defrauded four individuals of over $20,000.
Caught Red-Handed:
The dramatic arrest, which occurred in full view of passengers, was initially confused with a high-profile security operation. The presence of Córdoba’s Minister of security Juan Pablo Quinteros, Police Chief Leonardo Gutiérrez, and head of the Anti-Narcotics Force Adrian Salcedo added to the initial commotion. Though, authorities clarified that these officials were simply passengers on the same flight, en route to an event with Argentina’s Minister of Security Patricia Bullrich.
Salazar was escorted off the plane by PSA agents and formally arrested by prosecutor Lourdes Quagliatti of Córdoba’s district II Instructional Court. She faces charges of “repeated scams”, based on a joint complaint filed by four victims alleging a combined investment loss of $22,900.
[Image: Salazar being escorted off the plane by PSA agents. Caption: Salazar was arrested by the PSA at Córdoba’s Ambrosio Taravella International Airport just before her flight to Buenos Aires. Photo: PSA]
A Growing Trend:
this incident underscores a worrying trend in Argentina, where the volatility of cryptocurrencies has attracted both legitimate investors and those seeking to exploit the system. NewsDirectory3 reached out to Professor Ariel González, a renowned cybercrime expert at the University of Buenos Aires, to shed light on the situation.
NewsDirectory3: Professor, what can you tell us about the rise of cryptocurrency scams in Argentina?
Professor gonzález: The rise of cryptocurrency investments naturally attracts opportunistic individuals looking to make a fast buck.the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies, coupled with a lack of regulatory oversight in some areas, creates fertile ground for scams.
NewsDirectory3: What types of scams are most prevalent?
Professor González: We see a variety of scams, from classic Ponzi schemes, where early investors are paid with funds from later investors, to more sophisticated methods like fake ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings) and pump-and-dump schemes, where influencers artificially inflate the price of a coin before selling it off for a profit.
NewsDirectory3: What advice do you have for individuals looking to invest in cryptocurrencies?
Professor González**: Due diligence is key. Research thoroughly before investing in any project, be wary of high-return promises, and never invest more than you can afford to lose.Remember,if it sounds too good to be true,it probably is.
This recent arrest of Candela Salazar serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking in the cryptocurrency world. As the market continues to evolve, staying informed and exercising caution will be crucial for protecting oneself from falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated scams.