My cousin of 20yrs. has been in the US for lest then 1yr. Last week he received a called for a supposedly lawyer in DR, threatening to file charges against him for Statutory Rape unless he sends $150.000 pesos to resolve the matter. Apparently 3yrs ago when he was 18yr he had sex with his girlfriend while she was 14yr. The sex was consensual and it happened on various occasions. He reached out to the family to evaluate the legitimacy of the lawyer?s claim; but their response was ?give us the money or we are putting you in jail. We have an ORDER for your arrest; you will be arrested at the airport, etc.? He requested a copy of the legal papers and today he received a document from the MINISTERIO PUBLICO that looks like a complaint. Now I know Statutory Rape is a Criminal offense that must handle by a prosecutor, not a private lawyer, so it already it sounds like a scam, but we are worry.
My questions are
1. What is the typical legal process in DR. Does the prosecutor have to notify us of Complaint,
2. How can I verify if a Complaint has been filed or Order has been issued,
3. The sex occurred over 2yrs ago, can he deny the entire occurrence and say they never had sex
4. What sort of proof must they provide to prove they had sex,
5. Do we break the law if we decide to pay, is it illegal to settle criminal matters with money
6. Can he go to the police here in the US, does that help or worsen he matter,
7. Has anyone heard of a similar Case, Fraud, etc.
Sorry for the many question but we are worry.
My questions are
1. What is the typical legal process in DR. Does the prosecutor have to notify us of Complaint,
2. How can I verify if a Complaint has been filed or Order has been issued,
3. The sex occurred over 2yrs ago, can he deny the entire occurrence and say they never had sex
4. What sort of proof must they provide to prove they had sex,
5. Do we break the law if we decide to pay, is it illegal to settle criminal matters with money
6. Can he go to the police here in the US, does that help or worsen he matter,
7. Has anyone heard of a similar Case, Fraud, etc.
Sorry for the many question but we are worry.