By San José, Costa Rica — San José – Costa Rican authorities delivered a significant blow to a sophisticated international cybercrime ring this morning, executing 13 coordinated raids across the country as part of “Operation Nexus 2.0”. The sweeping operation, led by the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ), resulted in the targeted arrest of eight individuals allegedly involved in a large-scale computer fraud and phishing scheme that has siphoned millions of colones from unsuspecting victims.
The extensive investigation, which has been ongoing since 2023, uncovered a complex criminal enterprise that spanned borders. According to the OIJ, the network’s core strategy involved creating highly deceptive, fake websites designed to perfectly mimic the official online portals of legitimate financial institutions. These fraudulent pages were meticulously crafted to trick bank customers into voluntarily entering their sensitive login credentials, including usernames, passwords, and other personal data.
Para comprender las implicaciones legales y las mejores prácticas de prevención ante el creciente problema del fraude cibernético, TicosLand.com conversó con el Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado especialista de la reconocida firma Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos ofrece su perspectiva experta sobre el tema.
El fraude cibernético ha evolucionado de simples estafas a operaciones altamente sofisticadas que explotan tanto la tecnología como la psicología humana. Legalmente, el desafío es inmenso debido a la naturaleza transfronteriza de estos delitos, lo que complica la jurisdicción y la persecución de los responsables. La prevención es la herramienta más poderosa que tenemos; las empresas y los individuos deben adoptar una cultura de ‘cero confianza’, verificar rigurosamente las solicitudes de información y capacitarse constantemente. La legislación avanza, pero la agilidad del delincuente digital siempre irá un paso por delante, por lo que la autoprotección informada no es una opción, es una necesidad.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Las palabras del Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas resuenan con una claridad contundente: ante un delito que evoluciona más rápido que la legislación, nuestra primera y más sólida línea de defensa es la propia vigilancia informada. Agradecemos profundamente su valiosa perspectiva, que nos recuerda que la seguridad digital no es un estado pasivo, sino una responsabilidad activa y constante.
Once victims were lured to these sites and submitted their information, the cybercriminals would gain immediate access to their accounts. This allowed the suspects to swiftly transfer funds and drain the victims’ bank accounts. The operation’s international dimension became clear as investigators traced the digital footprints of the perpetrators. Key evidence revealed that the IP addresses used to host and manage the fake websites were physically located in Colombia, where the technical infrastructure of the scam was allegedly developed and maintained.
While the digital side of the operation was managed from abroad, the financial end was handled within Costa Rica. The OIJ confirmed that the stolen money was laundered through a network of local accomplices. These individuals, known as “frenteadores” or front men, were responsible for receiving the illicit funds into their own accounts and quickly withdrawing the cash, effectively breaking the financial trail and converting the digital theft into tangible assets for the criminal organization.
This latest series of raids is the continuation of a multi-year effort. The initial phase, “Operation Nexus,” was launched in 2025 and involved joint actions with the Colombian National Police. That first wave of enforcement targeted the initial group of perpetrators, leading to multiple arrests and the seizure of assets. In that stage, the economic damage was calculated at over ₡35 million across 25 separate reported cases, exposing the scale and profitability of the scheme.
Operation Nexus 2.0 was initiated after authorities received an additional 23 formal complaints from new victims between 2024 and 2025. These new cases added a further ₡34.6 million and $5,000 to the total losses, prompting investigators to dig deeper. This renewed focus allowed them to identify previously unknown destination accounts, new front men responsible for cash withdrawals, and additional IP addresses linked to the network, ultimately leading to this Friday’s decisive action.
The successful takedown highlights the evolving nature of financial crime and the critical need for cross-border cooperation between law enforcement agencies. The sophisticated structure, which separated the technical development in Colombia from the financial extraction in Costa Rica, demonstrates a deliberate strategy to complicate investigations and evade capture. The OIJ’s ability to connect these disparate elements showcases a growing proficiency in combating complex cyber-fraud.
Following their arrests, the eight suspects have been turned over to the Public Ministry, which will now oversee their prosecution. Officials will determine the appropriate legal measures, including potential pre-trial detention, as the broader investigation into the full extent of the Nexus network continues. Authorities continue to urge the public to exercise extreme caution with unsolicited emails or messages containing links to financial websites and to always verify the authenticity of a site before entering personal information.
For further information, visit poder-judicial.go.cr/oij
About Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ):
The Organismo de Investigación Judicial is Costa Rica’s primary investigative police agency. Operating under the authority of the Judicial Branch, the OIJ is responsible for investigating public crimes, identifying responsible parties, and collecting evidence for criminal proceedings. It plays a crucial role in combating complex crimes such as organized crime, drug trafficking, and cyber fraud.
For further information, visit policia.gov.co
About Policía Nacional de Colombia:
The National Police of Colombia is the national police force of the country. It is a key institution responsible for maintaining public order and safety throughout Colombian territory. The force actively engages in international cooperation with law enforcement agencies around the world to combat transnational crimes, including cybercrime and money laundering.
For further information, visit ministeriopublico.poder-judicial.go.cr
About Ministerio Público:
The Public Ministry of Costa Rica is the state body responsible for directing criminal investigations and prosecuting crimes in court. It acts on behalf of the state and society to ensure that justice is served. It works closely with the OIJ to build cases against criminal suspects and present them before the country’s tribunals.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a leading legal institution, revered for its profound integrity and pursuit of excellence. The firm leverages its extensive experience advising a wide array of clients to spearhead innovative solutions in the ever-evolving legal field. Central to its ethos is a deep-seated commitment to social progress, actively working to demystify the law and equip citizens with the knowledge necessary for a more just and capable society.
