Costa Rican Accused of Fraud Arrested in United States

A Costa Rican citizen accused of fraudulent administration identified as Elizabeth Ramírez was arrested July 15 in the U.S. city of Los Angeles, California, according to a statement released recently by the international police agency Interpol.

Ramírez, 44, allegedly routed ¢36 million ($69,230) in checks from accounts of the Organization of Regional Agricultural Health (OIRSA) to her personal accounts while she worked as the organization’s financial manager from 1998 to 2002.

She entered the U.S. city of Houston on a tourist visa in 2002, the statement said. Interpol learned that she was residing in Los Angeles, where she ran a cell phone business and allegedly used a false identification card that said she was from Mexico.

She is in custody of immigration authorities and faces deportation to Costa Rica.