{
  "id": 19437,
  "title": "'They don't have bosses': The detective hunting Chile's 'criminal tourists'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/31/they-dont-have-bosses-the-detective-hunting-chiles-criminal-tourists",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-07-31T09:40:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Buenos Aires Times",
    "slug": "buenos-aires-times",
    "url": "https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/world/they-dont-have-bosses-the-detective-hunting-chiles-criminal-tourists.phtml"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A relatively new phenomenon known as \"criminal tourism\" is plaguing luxury homes across the globe, with a significant portion of the perpetrators being Chilean nationals. This crime wave, marked by crews that operate independently and without a traditional hierarchy, has now extended to several countries, including Canada and parts of Europe.\n\nDetective Jesús Bonilla of the Major Crimes Squad at the Nassau County Police Department on Long Island has spent years investigating these criminal networks. He has noticed a key difference in how these groups operate compared to traditional criminal organizations. Instead of having a clear leader who issues orders, each group relies on a key figure who facilitates logistics for newcomers. This person welcomes new members, instructs them on the methods, and then helps them go independent once they've learned the ropes.\n\nBonilla believes that this model has allowed the criminal tourism phenomenon to spread rapidly. Once a group learns the tricks, they can introduce others from Chile and create a new criminal franchise. This has enabled the thefts to spread beyond California, where they were first observed in 2017, to states like New York, Texas, Illinois, Florida, and North Carolina.\n\nA critical factor in this crime wave is the Chilean government's participation in the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program. This program allows Chilean citizens to enter the United States without a visa for up to 90 days. As a result, many of the perpetrators can easily enter the country, conduct their burglaries, and then leave without having to deal with the lengthy visa application process.\n\nThe victims of these burglaries are typically high-profile individuals, such as NBA and NFL stars, Premier League soccer players, and celebrities. The criminals often target their homes, often using forged Argentine driving licences and identity documents to rent vehicles and accommodation. Most of the perpetrators are young, ranging from 15 to 30 years of age, and many describe burglary as a family trade, with their relatives having a history of similar crimes. This environment turns successful burglars into role models for younger generations, who are fascinated by social media and enjoy showcasing their stolen goods online.",
  "summary": "After years tracking crews and gangs accused of targeting athletes and celebrities, Nassau County detective Jesús Bonilla explains how the crews recruit, operate and continue to expand. Leer más",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}