Extortion crimes increased 20% in Ecuador in 2021. A new method that has become common are threatening calls from alleged guerrillas.
It was three in the morning on a Saturday when Edison Aulla received a WhatsApp message in which a stranger asked about his sister. It wasn’t until the next morning that he decided to answer; two hours later, he received a call of an unknown number.
“He tells me that he is a commander of the ELN group of the Colombian guerrillas and that two lawyers have gone to the camp of this man, of this group, to request a hitman for $ 5,000 for me, my wife and my daughter, ”Aulla recalls.
By that point, the antisocials knew the names and some personal details of the victims. However, the call of these subjects was to ‘forgive life‘ in exchange of money.
A similar case was experienced by Wilson Mediavilla, who has been extorted for three times. He relates that they called him from a number Colombian to ask about his nephew. The perpetrators also identified themselves as “the Colombian guerrilla“, But for them” the life it was important ”and they assured him that they would do nothing to him or his family if he deposited $ 1,000 to them.
According to the Ecuadorian National Police, the crime of extortion it has increased this year by 20% compared to 2020. Of that figure, “there are approximately 120 events in which the perpetrators have identified themselves as alleged members of groups guerrillas”.
The National Anti-kidnapping Investigation Unit and Extortion (Unase) is in charge of providing advice on future communications with criminals. Once the complaint is made, “the victim will receive permanent support from the UNASE police officer as long as it is necessary based on the provisions and fiscal delegations received,” says the entity.
Aulla followed this protocol and contacted the Police after receiving the threat. He mentions that the Police helped them defuse the situation at the time. However, “as they called WhatsApp had no data on that person, or on that phone, ”so they could not locate the antisocials who were on the other side of the screen. On the other hand, Mediavilla decided not to report it because it assures that it is “a lot of paperwork” for what the Police can do.
For their part, the Police affirm that, if the number used is in another country, they coordinate with the State Attorney General’s Office to carry out International Criminal Assistance with the Prosecutor’s Office of the country where the telephone number or equipment is allegedly located.
Just as technology is a useful tool for people, it can also be used as a weapon for criminals. As time progresses, new types of extortion come to light. Therefore, the Police recommend being alert to any message or call suspicious.
Emily Tobar, special for LA HORA
