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Even in a pandemic, there’s no slowdown for swindlers in Latin America.
From Argentina to Panama, a number of officials have been forced to resign as reports of fraudulent purchases of ventilators, masks and other medical supplies pile up.
The thefts are driven by price-gouging from manufacturers and profiteering by politically connected middlemen who see the crisis as an opportunity for graft.
“Whenever there’s a dire situation, spending rules are relaxed and there’s always someone around looking to take advantage to make a profit,” said Jose Ugaz, a former Peruvian prosecutor who jailed former President Alberto Fujimori.
Read the full AP report here.
