In the middle of the case investigating this Haute couture designer MAT (54) for alleged fraud almost 40 investorsThe public prosecutor’s office released details of how the Ponzi scheme would have worked, which would have resulted in economic damage exceeding that $594,000 and 115 million pesos.
The collapse of the system in September 2024 made the extent of the maneuver clear. This is the charge presented to the judge Hernan Postma, The funds raised would never have been used to purchase material to make clothes.but rather the payment of interest to other contributors and personal expenses.
After delays for those involved, the judge decided to release them on a code of conduct at the plea hearing held this Friday. In addition to the designer, her partner, JAM (60), as a secondary participant; his former employee MEJ (43), as the main participant; and the hairdresser RFR (44) also as the main participant.
According to information from Rosario3Prosecutor María Teresa Granato attributed the execution of the haute couture brand to the owner of the haute couture brand. “suitable deceptive maneuvers that mislead several people”. At least the mechanics would have worked out that way thirty-seven victims They deliver money in cash and bank transfer, both in pesos and dollars.
As part of the investigation, they indicated that the brand’s premises acted as the epicenter of the operation. There were party dresses and photos of personalities, including football players and family members, introduced as supposed customers. For the prosecutor, this environment, together with the designer’s image as a successful entrepreneur, would have created trust among potential investors.
According to the collected witness statements, the defendant personally looked after those who came to the store and He explained to them that in addition to the clothing business, he received investments to finance the purchase of fabrics, jewelry, stones and other imported goods.. In this way he ensured that the income from the sale of the clothes would cover the promised interest.
The public prosecutor’s office explained this in detail The interest rates offered reached up to 30% per monthHowever, this was later reduced to 20 or 18 percent depending on the investment amount, values that were documented in the promissory notes given to the depositors.
Investors were also informed that a capital withdrawal must be made with 60 days’ notice. The documents were signed by the designer and stamped with her full name and CUIT, adding to the appearance of formality.
Therefore, they considered that the participation of the other defendants was crucial to the functioning of the system. In the case of the former employee, they stated that she had taken on administrative tasks in the premises since February 2024.
This includes paying taxes, bank deposits and payments at mutual and financial institutions and so on He began receiving money from investors and paying interest, maintaining direct contact with several victims via WhatsApp.
The prosecution emphasized that both she and the hairdresser made their own investments and gained new contributors through their personal connections. Some victims said they learned about the operation through RFR, which recommended it as trustworthy and mentioned that their partner (MEJ) had also invested there.
The designer’s partner, in turn, was accused of secondary collaboration, as he participated in the receipt, counting and delivery of money and made partial payments to the victims from accounts that belonged to him. This would have helped maintain the appearance of compliance and increased investor confidence.
On the other hand, they assured that the expansion of the business led the defendant to set up an office in Italy in 800 dedicated exclusively to receiving and withdrawing funds from investors and to separate this activity from the clothing trade.
According to the former employee, this measure was intended to prevent a “strange” image from appearing in the main rooms. At the same time, the designer began renovating another property in Dorrego, between Córdoba and Santa Fe, with the intention of relocating the company, which would have increased the need to raise larger financial contributions.
After disclosing these details, prosecutor Granato claimed that the dynamic responded to a classic Ponzi scheme in which interest was paid with the money of new investors and the scheme was only maintained as long as the income stream remained active.
That’s why he pointed it out The collapse occurred on September 23, 2024when payments were suspended. Likewise, the defendant sent predetermined messages to investors in which he claimed to have taken out loans with more than two hundred people and requested thirty days to resolve the situation.
As the non-compliance continued, the complaints increased and the defendant changed her story several times, citing problems with tax authorities, theft by former employees, health problems, and even providing medical certificates. Despite different meetings and payment proposals None of the investors got their money back after September 23, 2024.
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