According to Sol Yucatan, dozens of entrepreneurs, investors, and bazaar participants accuse a woman identified as Diana L.P. of committing multimillion-peso fraud through supposed financial projects, loans, and commercial events that never took place.
According to testimony gathered by Sol Yucatán, the accused operated under a trustworthy image, organizing bazaars and mutual funds in Mérida and other municipalities for years. Over time, she began offering “investment opportunities” with high returns, which she initially fulfilled to gain the credibility of dozens of people.
“Everything seemed normal; she even paid on time. But at the end of June, the delays and excuses began, and then she simply disappeared,” said one of those affected, who claims to have lost nearly 40,000 pesos.
The victims, more than 90 according to an organized group on social media, claim that the total amount defrauded exceeds two million pesos. Among the most recent scams is the organization of some spots at the “Tsunami” bazaar event, for which the exhibitors had already paid for their spaces—up to eight thousand pesos each—when, one day before the event, Diana canceled, citing problems with the organizers.
A month earlier, Diana had organized another bazaar at the Ibis Hotel. The hotel confirmed that the woman never paid for the show, although she allowed some vendors to set up so as not to lose their entire investment.
However, the damage was already done: purchased merchandise, paid advertising, and no compensation.
Those affected also mention that the accused offered supposed “financial investments” with monthly returns of up to 50%, without ever revealing the company or person behind the payments. “She told us she worked with a financial institution, but she never wanted to give the name. She then justified herself by saying that the collectors had had an accident and that was why she couldn’t pay,” explained one of the complainants.
At the same time, Diana promoted raffles and fundraisers “to help her sick grandmother,” money that she also never returned.
Some testimonies indicate that she traveled with her family to Paris and with her partner to Colombia, just as the complaints began. “She saw she had money and said, ‘This is where I’m from,'” said those affected.
The complaints are being filed by criminal lawyers for fraud and property damage, although the plaintiffs acknowledge that they likely won’t recover their money. “What we want is for her not to deceive anyone else again,” they emphasized.
Meanwhile, the woman keeps her social media accounts inactive, changed her phone number, and—according to testimonies—her family has also chosen not to respond to messages.
The victims are urging anyone who has been defrauded by Diana L.P. to join the class action lawsuit that is being prepared, as they believe her case could be one of the largest frauds committed against local entrepreneurs in Yucatán in recent years.
Source: Sol Yucatan
