Costa Rican prosecutors are investigating a man suspected of collecting about $800,000 from the pension of a North American woman who died more than 20 years ago. The man, identified only by the last name Abarca, managed a home for older adults in La Uruca, San José. A North American woman with the last name Collins moved into the home in 1999 and lived there until her death in 2005. She was 78.
Authorities believe Abarca arranged for Collins to be buried in a cemetery in Cartago. The following year, he allegedly submitted false documents to the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, which manages pensions for public school educators in California. The documents allegedly made it appear that Abarca was legally authorized to manage Collins’ affairs, even though she was already dead. Investigators believe this allowed him to obtain a bank card and continue accessing her pension payments.
Prosecutors estimate that at least $800,000 was withdrawn between 2006 and 2026. The alleged scheme was discovered when the California retirement system tried to confirm whether Collins was still alive. The organization contacted the United States Embassy in Costa Rica, which confirmed that she had died in 2005.
Costa Rican authorities later searched Abarca’s home for evidence. The investigation involves suspected fraud, the use of false documents and placing false information in official paperwork. A court has ordered Abarca to report regularly to judicial authorities, keep a permanent address and remain in Costa Rica while the investigation continues. Those restrictions have reportedly been in place since July 25.
Prosecutors have not said whether any of the money has been recovered or whether the California pension system has requested repayment. The accusations have not been proven in court, and Abarca must be considered innocent unless he is convicted.
