(NewsNation) — The FBI arrested six people in connection to an alleged international burglary ring that targeted wealthy households and businesses in Southern California, authorities announced Wednesday.
According to federal officials, the group stole tens of millions of dollars from homes in up to 80 cities across the U.S.
The Department of Justice issued a 46-count indictment against the six South Americans, who are believed to be part of an even larger crime ring that come to the U.S. on tourist visas to engage in crime, according to U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada.
The group is accused of thefts and burglaries in hundreds of homes and of laundering millions in illicit proceeds.
A seventh person has also been charged in connection to the group. The California man is accused of operating a rental car business that caters to criminals. According to Estrada, crime tourists would enter the U.S., go to the car rental place and be provided with fake IDs and instructions on where to go.
“We found that this particular group of facilitators helped to organize and facilitate about 120 burglaries or thefts around the country. These thefts occurred in at least 80 cities throughout our country,” Estrada said in a press conference. “Defendants received about $5.5 million from these thefts, but the losses to individuals and businesses are well north of $35 million.”
Law enforcement officials say many such criminals are from Chile, as the country is included in a U.S. visa waiver program that allows Chileans to enter the U.S. without any vetting.
Beyond Southern California, crime tourism has also been reported in Texas and North Carolina.
