Authorities in Argentina have apprehended five individuals accused of scanning people's irises in a parking lot in exchange for cryptocurrency and cash. According to reports from La Nación and broadcaster LT9, the suspects were allegedly offering iris scans as part of a scheme resembling the operations of the Worldcoin (WLD) platform.
The arrests took place in the parking lot of Feria del Litoral on Avenida del Valle, Santa Fe. Police detained the group on suspicion of engaging in illegal activities related to cybercrimes, specifically fraud involving biometric data.
While officers did not directly link the suspects to Worldcoin, they suspect the group may have been harvesting sensitive biometric information for identity theft or other fraudulent purposes. Investigators noted that the suspects might have been exploiting the heightened media attention surrounding Worldcoin’s iris-scanning program in Argentina.
Authorities emphasized growing cybersecurity concerns regarding the collection of highly sensitive biometric data in exchange for digital currencies, warning that such practices pose serious risks, including potential misuse for financial fraud and unauthorized access to personal accounts.
Law enforcement officials identified the suspects as four men and one woman, most of whom are residents of Córdoba Province. The investigation seeks to determine the full extent of their activities and whether any individuals had unwittingly exchanged their biometric data for digital payments.
During the operation, police confiscated significant evidence, including:
Photographs of the seized items were released to the public. Authorities have since transferred the case to prosecutors in Santa Fe for further legal proceedings.
The parking lot where the arrests occurred serves a nearby shopping mall, raising suspicions that the suspects may have been targeting mall customers. Law enforcement was tipped off by mall security personnel, whose vigilance led to the intervention.
This incident follows another recent case in Argentina, where officials in Zapala, Neuquén Province, launched an investigation into a newsstand operator accused of running a similar iris-scanning scheme in exchange for cryptocurrency.
Authorities continue to warn the public about the dangers of trading biometric data for financial incentives, emphasizing the risk of identity theft and unauthorized access to personal and financial accounts. The case remains under active investigation as officials seek to uncover the full scope of the suspects' activities.
