Luis Torres Diaz, a 27-year-old Venezuelan citizen, was arrested on charges of defrauding a Manitowoc County woman out of $20,000. Prosecutors say he also tried to scam other victims in the area.
During a bail hearing on Friday, the court set Diaz’s bond at $100,000. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Monday for an initial appearance. While formal charges have not yet been filed, Assistant District Attorney Marconi de Franca Barros described Diaz as part of a larger traveling crime group targeting vulnerable individuals.
One of the victims, an 80-year-old woman, withdrew $20,000 from her bank after being falsely told that a friend had been arrested. Diaz was found in possession of $80,000 in cash and admitted to collecting money from victims. Authorities suspect multiple people are involved in this scam operation. According to the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office, at least two similar incidents were reported earlier this week.
