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Friday, Feb 10th

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Protests in Putumayo turn violent


Angry victims of pyramid scheme DRFE and duped investors of suspected money launderer and pyramid scheme DMG turned to looting offices and burning cars in Mocoa, Putumayo. At least 14 people got injured.

According to the police, the unrest began around 4AM when protesters blocked the main roads. When the police tried to break up the blockades, clashes occurred, protesters set cars on fire and started looting offices.

Police commander Gen. Luis Alberto Perez says many of Wednesday's rioters lost money in the scheme perpetrated by the company DRFE. He says others were simply troublemakers. 

The Putumayo department is one of the worst hit in Colombia, because a vast amount of the mostly poor inhabitants had their savings invested in fraudulent pyramid schemes. DMG originally started in Putumayo.

It's the second time this week protests following the pyramid scandal turn violent. Earlier the mayor of Honda imposed a curfew after protesters took to looting.

Related:

Uribe denies family links to DMG
DMG director may go free