The Riverside County man paid more than $100,000 in what authorities described as a horror plot based on his immigrant status.
“The woman threatened to deport the victim if he did not pay the requested money,” the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Friday.
Lawmakers were warned of the blackmail plan on March 4th and assigned the case to Rancho Mirage’s special enforcement team.
Investigators later identified Yvette Lopez, 43, of Hemet, as the suspect in the case.
On March 25th, Lopez was safely taken into custody, located in the 32,000 block of Bob Hope Drive.
The accomplice, identified as 67-year-old Berta Gasso, was found and taken into custody in Lopez, the Sheriff’s Department said.
Both women were booked on multiple theft-related charges, including a horror.
“The massive amounts of funds involved will require the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office to intensify formal “white-collar” crime,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Anyone with additional information was asked to contact the special executive team at 760-836-1600.
The Sheriff’s Office encouraged the public to report suspicious activity. “Tor is a serious crime and we shouldn’t feel scared or pressure anyone to give up on their hard-earned money.”
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