AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – Three Amarillo residents have been arrested and charged with federal fraud offenses after a nationwide investigation uncovered a $30 million telemarketing scam targeting elderly victims across the United States.
Ashley Molina, 32; Samuel Lopez, 45; and Ricardo Plascencia, 32, are accused of participating in an organized scheme led by members of the Norteño gang, a violent California-based criminal network known for orchestrating complex financial crimes.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, their arrests are part of Operation Silver Shores, a multi-state effort that has resulted in 20 people being charged in California, Texas, and Florida.
U.S. District Attorney Eric Grant described the case as one that “exposes a telemarketing scam that deliberately targeted our vulnerable elderly citizens, causing more than $30 million in devastating financial losses.”
Shell Companies and Money Laundering
Court documents allege that the defendants used fake financial companies to collect “restitution fees” from victims who were falsely told they were entitled to compensation from a timeshare lawsuit.
Samuel Lopez allegedly managed Express Capital Financial, LLC.
Ricardo Plascencia allegedly ran Global Fortune Investments, LLC.
Ashley Molina allegedly operated as International Secure Investments.
Authorities said the trio laundered stolen funds through bank accounts under their shell companies, disguising the purpose of the transactions to evade anti-money-laundering policies. The proceeds, investigators claim, benefited both the individuals and the Nuestra Familia/Norteño criminal organization.
Assets Seized in Amarillo
Federal authorities seized assets linked to the Amarillo defendants, including:
$405,973.50 from Happy State Bank
$47.51 from Regions Bank held under Elite Financing Solutions LLC
All three defendants are currently being held at the Randall County Jail on federal holds.
Nationwide Arrests
The indictment also includes several defendants from California and Florida, charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Among them are Piera Salgado Teleki of Berkeley, Felix Alejandro of Bakersfield, and Carlos Zamora of Port Saint Lucie, Florida.
If convicted, the accused could face decades in federal prison and substantial fines for their roles in the multimillion-dollar fraud and money laundering operation.
