This happened in the last hours three people were caught attracted attention for participating Millionaire scam against a Canadian tourist on December 21. Traveler takes a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Historic Center of Cartagena They stole 18 million pesos.
(In context: Tourist scams in Cartagena hit rock bottom: $18 million per car ride)
This is the biggest scam against a tourist in the long history of travelers being deceived by misnamed tour operators.
Canadian traveler takes a horse-drawn carriage ride through the streets of a world heritage colonial city He agreed to pay the driver $100,000.but he eventually fell victim to a scam that resulted in $4,500 stolen from his credit cards, or about 18 million Colombian pesos.
(In context: Scams in Cartagena: the type of data phone theft that applies to tourists)
The citizen, who appeared before the police, stated that after the journey was over, he told the driver that he had no money, so he took the car. The man took him to a commercial establishment where he was served by a woman for whom he paid by credit card.
“For the first transaction, he told me that the transaction was not processed, then I gave him another credit card, and he told me that the internet connection was unstable and the transaction was not processed again. This happened for the third time, and then he said: ‘Welcome to Cartagena, my city is very beautiful, enjoy your holiday,'” Canadian teenager Lin Yu Chen, who by now had become a suffering tourist, told authorities. The biggest scam in the city’s long history of deceiving visitors.
This is Jorge Eliezer Julio Jiménez, alias Niño tato, he is 28 years old and from Cartagena.
Also Enilsa María Julio Ávila, alias La Mona, native of Cartagena, 23 years old, resident of the Olaya Herrera neighborhood of the La Magdalena sector. This woman was the person who changed Canadian tourist’s credit cards several timesand the person who stole 18 million pesos from the traveler.
The third person captured is 32-year-old Justher Enrique Polo Lara, alias Oso, a native of Cartagena, living in the Olaya Herrera neighborhood in the Magdalena region.
“We will not tolerate another fraud; we will not tolerate another criminal act; we will continue to protect the city,” the city’s mayor said. Dümek Turbayduring the presentation of those captured.
Within the framework of ‘Plan Titan 24’, a special investigative group made it possible to locate those allegedly responsible for this incident that tarnished the image of the city of Cartagena.
“This was my first trip to Colombia. However, the trip to Cartagena brought me sadness and unpleasant experiences. This fraud I experienced could completely damage the reputation of the country; Especially from a city like Cartagena, which is a popular destination,” Canadian scam victim Lin Yu Chen said in a video.
Police had initially said the woman had promised to return the stolen sum; However, she escaped from justice and went to Panama.
“In the frontline fight against theft, where we continue to intensify our actions within the scope of ‘Plan Titan 24’ in the city of Cartagena, more than 88 people were caught for theft by different methods this year. We continue to call on citizens to report, under absolute confidentiality, criminals and members of criminal structures who threaten security and coexistence in the city,” said Colonel Gelver Yecid Peña Araque, commander of the Cartagena Metropolitan Police.
John Montano
EL TIEMPO correspondent
Cartagena
On X: @PilotodeCometas
Source: Exame
