DGI Fraud Probe Adds Defendant in Alleged e-Tax Money Laundering Scheme
PANAMA CITY, August 1, 2026 – A guarantees court charged Adolfo Cosme Quintero with alleged organized crime and money laundering in the investigation into a multimillion-dollar fraud against Panama Direccion General de Ingresos.
TVN Noticias reported that Quintero was ordered held in provisional detention after voluntarily appearing before authorities. Prosecutors say the criminal organization allegedly diverted about $40 million between 2024 and 2025 through manipulation of the e-Tax 2.0 platform.
According to the investigation, the scheme involved modifying taxpayer registry information and legal representatives of companies that had paid taxes, then transferring fiscal credits to entities without pending tax obligations.
Prosecutors allege the credits were later transferred to a third company, Master Eco Green, whose final beneficiary was Quintero, and then negotiated with a bank. TVN reported that more than $10.8 million allegedly passed through companies linked to Quintero and more than $5.7 million entered related accounts.
The prosecutor said investigators are identifying different roles in the alleged structure, including system manipulation, credit negotiation and commercialization.
Authorities said no cooperation or plea agreements have been signed so far and that the investigation continues, with more arrests not ruled out.
Why it matters
The case raises questions about tax-system integrity, organized financial crime, public revenue protection and internal digital controls.
What happens next
Prosecutors will continue tracing roles, accounts and transactions while the accused remains under provisional detention.
