Ponzi Scheme Suspect Arrested 

August 23, 2025 – Riverside County Sheriff's Office officials report that on April 23, 2025, deputies from the Perris Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to the 2500 block of North Perris Boulevard, Perris, regarding a fraud investigation. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with the victim and determined seven victims had been lured into investing thousands of dollars into a wholesale avocado business. Deputies identified the suspect of the scam as Consuelo Carrasco-Ramirez, a 53-year-old resident of Hemet.

The Perris Station Investigation Bureau assumed the investigation and learned that between 2023 and 2025, Carrasco-Ramirez persuaded victims to invest money into a scam commonly referred to as a Ponzi scheme. Carrasco-Ramirez often targeted members of the Hispanic community and, in some cases, threatened to have them deported. During this investigation it was determined the seven victims collectively gave Carrasco-Ramirez approximately $195,000.00. Instead of investing the victim's money as promised, Carrasco-Ramirez used the money for personal benefit.

On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, after a thorough investigation, Carrasco-Ramirez was arrested and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for theft by false pretenses, grand theft, and passing counterfeit checks. Her bail was set at $193,000.00.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Office believes there may be additional victims and encourages anyone with information regarding this case to contact Master Investigator Lance Colmer by calling Riverside Sheriff's dispatch at 951-776-1099 or the Perris Sheriff's Station at 951-210-1000.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Jeff Fisher

File # PE251130084

Source & photo: Riverside County Sheriff's Office