2 public officials arrested for defrauding victims of Colombia’s armed conflict

2 public officials arrested for defrauding victims of Colombia’s armed conflict
Aug 5, 2014 posted by Gabrielle Mentjox

Seven people, including two public officials, were arrested Tuesday by Medellin’s forensic prosecution unit for their suspected involvement in defrauding victims of Colombia’s armed conflict, according to Colombia’s Caracol Radio.

Those arrested are allegedly part of a nation-wide ring dedicated to defrauding victims who are in the process of receiving compensation for crimes committed against them during Colombia’s half-century armed conflict.

The network operates by gaining access to the Victims’ Reparation Fund database and obtaining victims’ personal information. The information is then sold to the highest bidder, reported El Colombiano newspaper.

“These people contact those in the process of seeking reparation and sometimes tell them they can help accelerate reclamation with the Victims’ Reparation Fund (…) for 10 or 20%, but there are also instances when they have assumed a victim’s identity and received all the money,” said regional prosecutions director Hernan Giraldo, according to Caracol Radio.

More:
http://colombiareports.co/2-public-officials-among-7-captured-defrauding-victims-conflict/