Ex-police officer sentenced to three years in prison for fraud

An Ecuadorian court has sentenced former police officer Antonio Olger G. to three years in prison for fraud. The ex-officer, who served at the Community Police Unit (UPC) in the Cañar canton, was found guilty of direct authorship of the crime of falsification and malicious use of a false document.

The judicial process began following an internal audit within the police institution. Olger G. had submitted two medical certificates to the Human Talent department, dated September 16 and 25, 2024, to justify a total of 10 days of absence. However, the fraud was uncovered during a routine validation process by the head of Human Talent.

When attempting to verify the legitimacy of the documents using the printed QR codes, the scans did not direct to the official medical institution's portal, instead producing an error. This confirmed the files lacked any validity. Suspicious, the administrative area contacted the physician who supposedly signed the certificates. The doctor denied signing the papers, stated his signature had been forged, and confirmed he was on vacation during the dates indicated on the certificates.

During the trial hearing, the State Attorney General's Office presented compelling evidence. This included key testimonies from UPC administrative officials and a documentological expert from Criminalistics, who technically confirmed the certificates were fake. The prosecution's case was further strengthened by the testimony of the expert who conducted the site recognition. The sentence was issued in accordance with Article 328 of the COIP, which penalizes the falsification and use of false documents with prison terms ranging from three to five years. The Tribunal imposed three years of deprivation of liberty, considering the gravity of the offense.