Richard Rivers

Article based on an application to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into money laundering, narcotics trafficking and investment fraud - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from Costa Rica - that was granted at federal court in the USA on May 27, 2003. Individuals and businesses mentioned in the request for assistance include Osvaldo Villalobos Camacho, Luis Enrique Villalobos Camacho, Freddy Villalobos Camacho, Victor Sandino Soto, Kenneth Alvarado Thomas, Bertrand Henri St-Onge, Sandra Kerwin St-Onge, Luc St-Onge, Richard Rivers, Norman Denault, Alejandro Alvarado Miranda, Javier Calderon Granados, Hermanos Villalobos Exchange House (OFINTER SA), Servicios de Soporte al Turismo SA, Casa de Libertad SA, Favillale, Carlos Badilla, Fonseca Vargas Omar, Mario Borges Soubirus, Michael Sterling, David Brown, Forbes & Stobart SA, Framagra SA, Palma de Mayorca SA, Inversiones Haas SA, Danir SA, Compania Mercantil El Desierto SA, Casa de Cambio Ofinter SA, Immobiliaria Internacional Platino SA, Barclays Bank, Whitney Bank, Amtrade International Bank, The International Bank of Miami, and LGT Bank.

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Costa Rica into Osvaldo Villalobos Camacho, Luis Enrique Villalobos Camacho and Freddy Villalobos Camacho for allegedly laundering the proceeds of narcotics trafficking by Bertrand Henri St-Onge, Sandra Kerwin St-Onge, Luc St-Onge, Richard Rivers and Norman Denault.

A 62-year-old Costa Rican businessman who enters into "private loan arrangements" with individuals who are promised annual returns of up to 39.3 per cent has refuted allegations of impropriety.Luis Enrique Villalobos Camacho told OffshoreAlert that he is able to pay such returns because he earns about 75 per cent per year from "buying and selling items such as property, cars and boats".

Police investigating money laundering and drug trafficking have raided the offices of a Costa Rica-based money exchange operated by Luis Enrique Villalobos.The action has led to financial uncertainty for hundreds of foreigners who have collectively invested millions of dollars in a long-running high yield investment scheme operated by Villalobos and his brother, Oswaldo, who are known locally as 'The Brothers'.