Peruvian Police Dismantle Extortion Gang Targeting Food Businesses in Lima

National Police agents arrested four suspected members of the ‘Los Malditos Carroñeros’ criminal gang for extorting food business owners in Lima Este, according to Colonel PNP Holger Obando. The operation, conducted in San Martín de Porres and Callao, led to the seizure of explosives and biometric forgery tools used to anonymize communications.

Who were the members of ‘Los Malditos Carroñeros’?

Police identified the detainees as Peruvians Carlos Rivera Peralta, 39, known as ‘Carloncho,’ and Walter Quispe Gonzales, 46, known as ‘Morocho.’ They were arrested alongside Venezuelan nationals Johan Larez Rodríguez, 38, alias ‘Caracol,’ and José Oviedo Prieto, 39, alias ‘Gordo.’

According to Colonel Obando, head of the Extortion Investigation Division, each man held a specific role. Rivera Peralta managed the savings account used to receive extortion payments, while Quispe Gonzales acted as the “profiler” to identify potential victims.

Did You Know? The gang utilized a fingerprint replica to obtain SIM cards under third-party names, allowing them to evade police identification while using WhatsApp for extortion.

How did the extortion scheme operate?

The investigation began after a restaurant owner reported receiving threats. The suspects demanded an initial payment of 5,000 soles to prevent attacks against the owner, his family, and his customers, Colonel Obando stated.

The “profiler,” Walter Quispe Gonzales, is described by police as a known street comedian and artist. Obando noted that Quispe Gonzales allegedly used a previous work assignment at the victim’s restaurant to gather intelligence and provide the information necessary to target the business.

To maintain anonymity, the two Venezuelan suspects provided SIM cards. Colonel Obando explained that these chips were acquired using adulterated biometric data to ensure the extortionists could not be easily traced.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the use of “profilers” with legitimate social access, combined with biometric fraud, creates a significant challenge for law enforcement. This strategy allows criminals to bridge the gap between public visibility and digital anonymity, increasing the vulnerability of local business owners.

What evidence was seized during the raids?

Authorities recovered two sticks of dynamite and a black automobile during the operations. Police also seized five mobile phones, nine SIM card holders, and the fingerprint replica used for biometric fraud.

Police crack down on gangs as Peru sees extortion epidemic | AFP

What happens next for the suspects?

The four detainees may face legal proceedings for extortion and the illegal possession of explosives. Based on the recovery of biometric forgery tools, police could potentially investigate whether these methods were used to target other entrepreneurs in the Lima Este region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the motive for the arrests?
The arrests followed a complaint from a restaurant owner in Lima Este who was being extorted for 5,000 soles.

What role did the street comedian play in the gang?
Walter Quispe Gonzales, alias ‘Morocho,’ served as the “profiler,” using his professional contacts to identify and provide information on victims.

How did the gang hide their identities?
The suspects used SIM cards obtained through adulterated biometric data and fingerprint replicas to avoid detection while communicating via WhatsApp.

Do you believe biometric security measures are sufficient to prevent this type of identity fraud in financial services?