Police Bust Alleged Crypto-for-Iris Scanning Operation in Argentine Mall

Argentine law enforcement has apprehended five individuals allegedly involved in an unauthorized iris scanning operation at a shopping center parking lot, where they offered cryptocurrency and cash payments in exchange for biometric data.

Suspicious Scanning Operation Leads to Major Cash Seizure

The arrests took place at the Feria del Litoral Parking Lot along Avenida del Valle in Santa Fe, where authorities discovered the suspects in possession of $600,000 in cash and 29 mobile phones. Police are investigating potential connections to virtual crimes and biometric data fraud, though they haven't linked the operation to any specific cryptocurrency platform.

Law enforcement sources indicate that while the operation's methods resembled those of legitimate cryptocurrency platforms like Worldcoin (WLD), the group may have been exploiting recent media coverage to conduct identity theft operations. Cybersecurity experts have expressed significant concerns about the collection and potential misuse of sensitive biometric data through such schemes.

Mall Security Aids in Criminal Investigation

The group, consisting of four men and one woman primarily from Córdoba province, came to authorities' attention following an alert from mall security personnel. Police seized multiple pieces of evidence, including the suspects' Volkswagen vehicle, and transferred the case to Santa Fe prosecutors for further investigation.

This incident follows a similar case last month in Zapala, Neuquén Province, where authorities investigated allegations of unauthorized iris scanning activities at a local newsstand. The latest arrests highlight growing concerns about the intersection of cryptocurrency operations and biometric data collection in Argentina.

Investigators are currently working to determine the full scope of the operation and identify potential victims who may have exchanged their biometric information for cryptocurrency or cash payments. The case underscores mounting concerns about privacy and security in the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency landscape.