A Ponce resident, identified as Melvin E. Rivera-Oliveras, was arrested on March 25, 2025, facing charges including bank fraud and money laundering. Rivera-Oliveras and a company he operates, Rossy Sport Bar Panorámico, LLC, have been indicted in connection with these charges.
Court documents reveal that Rivera-Oliveras, aged 40, allegedly engaged in fraudulent activities in 2020 and 2022, seeking to deceive several federally insured financial institutions based in Puerto Rico. He is accused of executing fraudulent refund transactions exceeding $7 million using multiple debit cards across various enterprises under his management.
Rivera-Oliveras reportedly acquired point of sale systems to facilitate the alleged transactions, temporarily accessing and spending funds unlawfully. In July 2022, further fraudulent transactions were attempted to secure over $270,000, utilizing a debit card linked to Rossy Sport Bar Panorámico. Funds from these schemes were deposited into an account belonging to the associated business.
Proceeds from these criminal endeavors reportedly financed the purchase of several vehicles, including a Cadillac CTS, a Ford Transit Connect XL, and a Mercedes Benz C Class, in addition to making substantial bank transactions over $10,000.
“The defendant created and executed a complex scheme to defraud banks and businesses,” stated W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. He commended the efforts of FBI agents and the law enforcement community in uncovering these illegal financial activities.
“These crimes strike at the heart of public trust and financial stability. Bank fraud may not always leave a specific victim with empty pockets, but make no mistake, it erodes the very systems that uphold our economy,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office.
Rivera-Oliveras faces potential penalties including up to 30 years in prison for bank and wire fraud, and up to ten years for money laundering, contingent upon the federal district court's decision, which will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation. The case is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie Christine Amy from the Financial Fraud & Public Corruption Section.
It is important to note that a criminal complaint constitutes an allegation, and the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
