Key points
- Two suspects were extradited to Puerto Rico on September 30, 2026.
- They face charges for a sextortion scheme using social media platforms.
- US authorities requested their arrest in the Dominican Republic.
Two Dominican Republic nationals have been extradited to the United States to face criminal charges related to a sextortion and cyberstalking conspiracy. According to the US Department of Justice, Patricia Joanna Almonte-Frías and her partner Rineldys Feliciano Díaz-Cuevas were transferred to Puerto Rico to answer to allegations involving victims in that territory. Acting US Attorney Héctor Ramírez-Carbó announced the extradition, marking a significant step in the federal prosecution of this international cybercrime operation.
How it unfolded
- US authorities requested the arrest of the two suspects in the Dominican Republic.
- Dominican police arrested Almonte-Frías and Díaz-Cuevas on August 19, 2026.
- The pair was extradited to Puerto Rico on September 30, 2026.
Who is affected
The victims of this alleged scheme were primarily located in Puerto Rico. According to court documents cited by The Cyber Express, the defendants operated a financially motivated conspiracy that targeted individuals through social media platforms. Prosecutors allege that the suspects used Facebook, WhatsApp, and other online services to identify potential victims. The scheme relied on building initial contact with targets before escalating to extortion tactics.
Almonte-Frías reportedly used her own image to encourage victims in Puerto Rico to engage with her. Once contact was established, the defendants allegedly threatened to expose sexually explicit images of the victims. The threats included promises to share these compromising materials with the victims' families and friends unless payments were made. This pressure tactic led to victims being pressured to make payments to prevent reputational damage.
The charges filed in the District of Puerto Rico include conspiracy to cyberstalk and sending interstate threats. The US Department of Justice described the operation as an international effort to extort funds from unsuspecting individuals. The extradition process involved coordination between US and Dominican authorities to ensure the suspects faced justice in the appropriate jurisdiction.
What happens next
The defendants will now proceed through the federal court system in Puerto Rico. They face charges of conspiracy to cyberstalk and send interstate threats. The case concerns an alleged international operation in which victims were pressured to make payments under threats that compromising images would be shared. Legal proceedings will determine the outcome of these charges.
What to do and how to stay safe: sextortion
- Monitor social media accounts for unsolicited contact from strangers who quickly request private images.
- Report any threats or extortion attempts directly to platform moderators and local law enforcement.
- Avoid sending sensitive or compromising media to individuals you do not know personally.
- Keep records of all communications with suspected extortionists for potential legal use.
Step-by-step guide: Can Two-Factor Authentication Be Hacked? Methods and Defenses
General security guidance from the Circuit Observer newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Who were the individuals extradited to the US?
Patricia Joanna Almonte-Frías and Rineldys Feliciano Díaz-Cuevas, two Dominican Republic nationals.
What charges are they facing?
They face conspiracy to cyberstalk and send interstate threats in the District of Puerto Rico.
When were they arrested and extradited?
They were arrested on August 19, 2026, and extradited on September 30, 2026.
