Financial fraud case against Iris de Arco results in 13 indictments

Thirteen individuals, nine men and four women, face charges in Panama for alleged financial fraud targeting former television presenter Iris de Arco. The accusations fall under the category of crimes against the economic order, specifically financial offenses. The charges were formally presented during a multi-request hearing at the Plaza Ágora Criminal Justice System.

Following the hearing, 11 of the 13 defendants were immediately released. This release followed a mediation agreement reached between their legal representatives and the victim's lawyer. However, two individuals remain detained. A separate hearing is scheduled for Wednesday to determine the precautionary measures that will be imposed on them.

The prosecution presented evidence indicating the case dates back to February of this year, during the Carnival festivities in Las Tablas. Iris de Arco reported the theft of her cell phone, after which multiple unauthorized bank transactions were allegedly made from her accounts. The prosecution stated that some of the investigated individuals received transfers ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 on various occasions throughout February.

The investigation also revealed approximately 160 transactions to third parties that the victim did not recognize, resulting in an estimated economic loss of $261,000. According to evidence presented in court, funds received were sometimes withdrawn immediately via ATMs. In other instances, the money was transferred to third parties or used to pay for services such as Panapass, ACH Express, and telecommunications companies.

Alfredo Vallarino, Iris de Arco's lawyer, highlighted that a key aspect of the ongoing investigation is to determine if a criminal organization might be behind these operations, given that some of the involved individuals appear to know each other. The lawyer also indicated that part of the funds allegedly obtained through these transactions may not have been recovered by the victim. Authorities continue to investigate to ascertain the individual participation of each person involved and to trace the destination of the funds reportedly stolen from Iris de Arco's accounts.

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one of the aspects that we seek to clarify during the investigation is if behind these operations could exist a criminal organization, taking into account that some of the people involved apparently know each other.