Olaf Kyros Gustafsson, a 31-year-old Swedish man known as 'El Silencio', has been extradited to Los Angeles to face a 115-count indictment for fraud and money laundering. He allegedly operated Escobar Inc., selling bogus Pablo Escobar-branded products from 2019 to 2023, such as flamethrowers and cellphones. Instead of delivering purchased items, he sent promotional materials and 'Certificates of Ownership'. He used deceptive marketing strategies, including sending reviewers fake products wrapped in gold, to lure customers into his fraudulent scheme.
Gustafsson used these rights to market a wide range of Escobar-branded products from 2019 to 2023, often copying and undercutting the prices of other similar goods sold online.
To attract customer interest in the nonexistent Escobar Inc. products, he allegedly sent Samsung Galaxy Fold phones wrapped in gold foil to online technology reviewers.
He advertised an Escobar Flamethrower, an Escobar Fold Phone, an Escobar Gold 11 Pro Phone and Escobar Cash that he touted as a 'physical cryptocurrency.'
Instead of sending customers the product they purchased, prosecutors allege he would instead mail a 'Certificate of Ownership,' a book or other Escobar Inc. promotional materials.
Collection
[
|
...
]