SANTO DOMINGO. The Embassy of the United States handed out a list of 49 persons that pass themselves off as employees of the diplomatic legation in order to swindle persons with the promise of getting them a visa.

The names, accompanied by photographs that show the face of the alleged swindlers, were given to the District Attorney for the National District.

"These persons are not employees of the American Embassy", says a poster placed on the wall of the Department of Complaints and Disputes of the District Attorney's offices.

At the bottom of the photographs is the following warning: "Report fraud and avoid a swindle".

And it goes on to say "if you have information regarding any type of fraud, communicate with the Anti-Fraud Unit of the American Consulate, at Window 11."

They also ask people to call the phone numbers 809 731 4446, 809 731 4272 or fax 809 731 4467. Hundreds of persons go to the American Consulate everyday to seek a visa.

Those accused of frauds and swindles are Adfis Antonio Payamps (El Motro), Alberto Brito Sanchez, Brigido Aguero Sosa, Carlos Enrique Lauset, Carlos Isidro Jacobo Dominguez, Cristino Mercedes de la Mota (Canita), Daniel Antonio Arriaga Gonzalez, Elsy Gertrudis Gonzalez Cavallo, Emilio Rodriguez Mejia (El Puma), Ernesto Sosa, Deferico Alexis Ruiz de la Cruz, Feliz del Carmen Gonzalez Suarez, Felix Hernandez (El Gordo), Francisco Antonio Restituyo (Chico) and Francisco Reynaldo Dominguez.

Likewise, Franklin Antonio Rojas Campusano, Geovanny Martinez Soto, Jacobo Quiroz Ventura, Juan Francisco Eusebio Batista, Jorge Antonio Guzman Peña, Jose Alberto Sanchez, Jose Guison Garcia Garcia, Jose Rafael Bobadillo Mercedes, Juan Emilio Borbon Juan Manuel Valerio Baez, Juan Reyes Santana (Bemba), Julio Cesar Reyes Tineo, Juan Disla, Lenny Estiward Valerio Aquino, and Lhester Homero Berrido Roman.

Also Liades Altagracia Guance Lalondriz, Manuel de Jesus Michel Viere, Marie, Marie del Pilar de los Santos Perez, Marvin Joel Soriano, Robles, Muguel Roman Rosario Fermin, Rafael Jacobo Bobadillo, Ramon Antonio Grullon Grullon, Ramon Cabrera (El Bate), Ramon del Carmen Castillo Estevez, Ramon Emilio Serrata, Rosa Adelis Santos Santos, Samuel Grullon Mercado, Santos Valdez Cuello, Valerio Olivaresde Leon, one identified only as Vicent, Virgilio Antonio Silverio Almonte, Wascar de la Rosa Mercedes, Wilfrido Eloy Lopez Rosa and YennySugery Fernandez Guzman.

The Embassy did not say how much they asked for the "assistance" in getting visas, nor the number of persons swindled.

De Diario Libre