Two Dominican Nationals Extradited to US for Sextortion Conspiracy Charges
Patricia Almonte-Frías and Rineldys Feliciano Díaz-Cuevas face cyberstalking charges after being extradited from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico.
Key points
- Two suspects were extradited to Puerto Rico on September 30, 2026.
- They face charges for conspiracy to cyberstalk and send interstate threats.
- The alleged scheme used social media to target victims and demand payments.
Patricia Joanna Almonte-Frías and Rineldys Feliciano Díaz-Cuevas were extradited from the Dominican Republic to the United States on September 30, 2026, according to the US Department of Justice. The two nationals now face charges in the District of Puerto Rico related to a conspiracy involving cyberstalking and sextortion.
At a glance
- Publisher
- US Department of Justice (cybercrime)
- CVEs
- See advisory
Acting US Attorney Héctor Ramírez-Carbó announced the extradition, confirming that the defendants were arrested in the Dominican Republic on August 19, 2026, at the request of US authorities. They are accused of operating a financially motivated scheme that targeted individuals in Puerto Rico.
Operational Details of the Alleged Scheme
According to court documents cited by The Cyber Express, the defendants allegedly used social media platforms to identify and contact victims. The operation reportedly involved Almonte-Frías using her own image to engage targets through Facebook, WhatsApp, and other online services.
Prosecutors allege that the pair pressured victims to make financial payments by threatening to share sexually explicit images with the victims' families and friends. The charges include conspiracy to cyberstalk and conspiracy to send interstate threats.
Legal Proceedings and Jurisdiction
The case is being prosecuted in the District of Puerto Rico, reflecting the location of the alleged victims. The extradition process involved cooperation between Dominican authorities and the United States, leading to the suspects' transfer on September 30, 2026.
The Department of Justice issued an official advisory detailing the charges, emphasizing the cross-border nature of the criminal activity. The suspects are now in US custody to face the legal proceedings associated with these federal charges.
What should you do?
Security professionals and individuals should remain vigilant regarding unsolicited contact on social media platforms. The case highlights how threat actors use personal images and emotional pressure to extract money from victims.
What to do and how to stay safe: sextortion
- Monitor social media accounts for unexpected friend requests or messages from unfamiliar users who quickly move conversations to private messaging apps.
- Never share sexually explicit images or sensitive personal data with individuals you have not met in person and fully verified.
- If you receive threats involving the release of private images, do not pay any demands; instead, preserve all communication logs and report the incident to local law enforcement.
- Review privacy settings on social media profiles to limit who can view your posts and contact you directly, reducing exposure to potential predators.
Step-by-step guide: Risk Based Vulnerability Management: Prioritize Fixes by Actual Threat
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the two individuals extradited to the US?
Patricia Joanna Almonte-Frías and Rineldys Feliciano Díaz-Cuevas, both nationals of the Dominican Republic, were extradited to face charges in Puerto Rico.
What specific charges are the defendants facing?
They face charges of conspiracy to cyberstalk and conspiracy to send interstate threats in the District of Puerto Rico.
How did the alleged sextortion scheme operate?
According to court documents, the suspects used social media to target victims, threatening to share explicit images with their contacts unless payments were made.
