SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — Two Dominican Republic nationals have been extradited to Puerto Rico to face federal charges in an alleged international sextortion scheme in which victims were threatened with the release of intimate images, pressured into emptying their bank accounts and, in some cases, had their images distributed even after paying the demanded money.
Patricia Joanna Almonte-Frías and Rineldys Feliciano Díaz-Cuevas were arrested in the Dominican Republic on August 19 at the request of U.S. authorities and extradited to Puerto Rico on September 30, according to an October 9 announcement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Puerto Rico.
Federal prosecutors allege the two operated a financially motivated scheme from the Dominican Republic, using Facebook, WhatsApp and other social media platforms to identify and target victims in Puerto Rico.
Victims Allegedly Threatened Even After Making Payments
According to federal court documents described by prosecutors, Almonte-Frías used her image to encourage victims to share sexually explicit photographs and videos online. The material was secretly recorded and subsequently used to extort money from the victims.
Díaz-Cuevas and other alleged conspirators then demanded payments, threatening to distribute the intimate material to victims' relatives and friends if the money was not provided.
In some instances, prosecutors allege, the defendants created manipulated photo collages combining victims' sexually explicit images with photographs of minors, falsely suggesting that the victims had engaged in sexual relationships with children.
The alleged scheme continued even after victims complied with the financial demands.
Federal authorities said victims paid the requested amounts, sometimes emptying their bank accounts in the process, only for the defendants to carry out their threats and distribute the intimate material through the victims' online networks of relatives and friends.
The Justice Department did not disclose the total amount allegedly obtained through the scheme or the number of victims identified during the investigation.
“These defendants ran a calculated scheme that preyed on trust, fear, and vulnerability, leaving lasting harm in its wake,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Héctor Ramírez-Carbó.
Defendants Extradited Following FBI Investigation
Almonte-Frías and Díaz-Cuevas made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marcos E. López in the District of Puerto Rico on October 1.
Both are charged with conspiracy to commit cyberstalking and transmit interstate threats, in violation of federal law. Each faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison if convicted.
The case was investigated by the FBI's San Juan field office, with assistance from the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs, the FBI's legal attaché in Santo Domingo, the U.S. Marshals Service and Dominican law enforcement authorities.
Carlos R. Goris, special agent in charge of the FBI's San Juan office, warned that online extortion can cause substantial financial and psychological harm, urging victims to report suspected crimes to authorities.
The extraditions followed cooperation between U.S. and Dominican authorities to locate and apprehend the defendants. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julián Radzinschi, of the Financial Fraud and Public Corruption Division, is prosecuting the case.
The charges remain allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
