Michoacán Officials Caught In Major Fraud Scheme

Morelia, Michoacán (MiMorelia.com) - A financial fraud scheme with national reach has significantly impacted Michoacán, as the company Inverforx defrauded hundreds of individuals, including state government officials, who invested millions of pesos in hopes of securing substantial returns from products such as lithium, cotton, gold, and oil, according to information from Milenio.

Among the victims are secretaries, undersecretaries, and employees across various state agencies, all drawn into the scheme by recommendations from their own superiors. Notably, some of these endorsements reportedly came from former officials of the Finance Secretariat during the governorship of Silvano Aureoles, specifically Sonia Fuerte Armenta and Ariadna Rosas Burgos. Testimonies and allegations indicate that these individuals not only encouraged participation in Inverforx but also established a branch in Morelia, located in the upscale residential area of La Paloma. They are also listed in company documents as part of the executive team of what is now considered one of the largest pyramid schemes in Mexico.

The strategy employed by Inverforx involved meetings with public employees who organized pooling efforts, known as ‘vaquitas,’ to collect amounts ranging from 15,000 to 50,000 pesos, all in the hope of doubling their investments in a few months. One victim recounted that even the officials themselves claimed to be investing their own money, which further built trust among the prospective investors.

However, the operation of Inverforx began to collapse at the end of 2022, when it ceased all payment of returns. Since then, more than 10,000 individuals have reported being affected, leading to over 300 complaints filed in both Michoacán and Mexico City. Despite these significant numbers, investigations have moved at a sluggish pace. Currently, the only individual facing charges is Luis Alberto Pérez Zamorano, the founder of Inverforx.

Victims have expressed their frustrations regarding the Michoacán Prosecutor's Office, claiming they were asked to pay up to 4,000 pesos per person to facilitate investigations in Mexico City, a demand that has been heavily criticized by both lawyers and affected parties. “That’s a job the authorities should be handling. I didn't allow my client to lose more money,” asserted lawyer Carmen Madrigal Díaz, who initially represented a group of six CNTE teachers.

As the investigation lumbers forward, some of the individuals implicated in this case continue to maintain their public lives. Both Ariadna Rosas and her brother, Habib Rosas Burgos, opened a restaurant in the capital of Michoacán in 2021 called MIA Bistro Café, which has been touted as a high-end gastronomic venue.

To date, justice has only apprehended a few involved parties. Carlos Maldonado Mendoza, a former Secretary of Finance, was captured in Miami, while an arrest warrant remains active for former Governor Silvano Aureoles, who faces allegations for causing patrimonial damages exceeding 3.4 billion pesos. A pressing question remains unanswered: Did the funds invested by the former officials to establish Inverforx in Michoacán originate from public coffers? This line of inquiry remains under investigation.