An Alleged Millionaire Scam In Aid To Puerto Rico

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

Celebrities such as Olga Tañón, María Celeste Arrarás and Ellen DeGeneres were victims of an impostor who posed as a millionaire and offered to donate large amounts of money to victims of Hurricane María in Puerto Rico, according to Univision.

According to the network, during the charity show Somos una voz organized by Jennifer López and Marc Anthony, DeGeneres received a call from an individual named Emilio who donated the generous amount of a million dollars.

Emilio was left as a hero before thousands of spectators who never suspected that it was a fraud, because there was never such money.

Emilio himself, this time usurping the surname Serrallés belonging to a recognized Puerto Rican family, also defrauded several companies and artists who participated in events organized to collect donations and mobilize aid to the island. The Serrallés family, owner of a renowned rum brand, denied any link to the case.

Vásquez rented with fraudulent checks the warehouses in Miami where the supplies collected with the help of Tañón and Arrarás were stored, as well as their air transportation to the island.

Part of this cargo is currently being held at the Aguadilla airport because the freight for the cargo has not been paid. In total, it is estimated that half a million dollars is owed to the freight company.

According to Univisión, the alleged scammer is actually called Emilio Ismael Vásquez, and he has a long criminal record.