Córdoba: trader accused of multimillion-dollar fraud arrested inside an evangelical church
The researchers pointed out that it was not a pyramid scheme and explained that the investments were presented as stock market operations backed by signed contracts
The alleged operator was imprisoned following reports of financial maneuvers that may have affected several believers
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The arrest of an alleged trader from Córdoba caused discontent among worshippers who handed over their savings in exchange for promises of profits from supposed financial operations. Investigators maintain that the accused took advantage of the trust built within an evangelical church to attract funds that were later not returned as promised. Authorities deepened the investigation due to suspicions that more complainants could emerge as the case progresses.
The defendant was identified as Agustín Ezequiel Schiro Avaro, twenty years old, accused of repeated fraud under the directives of prosecutor Lourdes Quagliatti. Proceedings indicate that he presented himself as a stock market operator and offered investments that promised profits which ultimately never materialized. The prosecution ordered his arrest in San Francisco, from where he was transferred to the Bouwer prison while the judicial process against him moves forward.
According to judicial sources, the first complaints were filed in June and described money being handed over that was never returned despite the commitments made by Schiro. Spokespersons stated that "as a result of this alleged scheme, investors would receive the payment of significant interest and monetary gains, which in reality ultimately did not occur." Investigators emphasized that the initial loss, considering the first five victims, amounts to $29,003,900 and US$114,760, a figure that would raise the total damage to nearly two hundred million pesos.
El estafador fue trasladado a la cárcel de Bouwer mientras avanza el proceso judicial
More details of the investigation
The actions of the Judicial Unit for Economic Crimes indicate that the accused and the complainants attended the same congregation in the southern area of Córdoba Capital. Sources with access to the case indicated that "it was in that setting where Schiro Avaro allegedly took advantage of the trust caused among the victims to persuade them to hand over the aforementioned sums of money." Investigators pointed out that this was not a pyramid scheme and explained that the investments were presented as stock market operations backed by signed contracts.
Another line of investigation keeps that the young man had influence within the religious community because he offered courses related to trading and shared financial knowledge with other attendees. Sources emphasized that this position would have allowed him to consolidate his supposed credibility, contributing to several believers agreeing to hand over significant amounts. Detectives consider it possible that some affected individuals reside in San Francisco, the town where he was ultimately located after leaving a gated community in Córdoba's capital.
Authorities indicated that the accused "trader" remains in custody and will be questioned by the prosecutor in the coming hours, at which time he may testify or remain silent. Spokespersons stated that, regardless of his procedural status, the young man will remain held in Bouwer while new evidence is evaluated and further filings are analyzed. The case will continue to incorporate elements of interest, and they do not rule out that the number of victims may increase as testimonies related to the alleged financial scheme progress.
