Overview
- MINJUSDH said treasurers who keep promotion funds commit illicit appropriation under Article 190 of the Peruvian Penal Code.
- Penalties range from two to four years in prison with mandatory restitution of the entrusted money.
- A formal contract is not required to prove the offense, only evidence that the money was entrusted for a specific purpose that was not fulfilled.
- Recommended safeguards include joint bank accounts, periodic accounting reports, avoiding sole cash handling, and signed minutes formalizing agreements.
- Families are urged to preserve receipts and communications as evidence and then file complaints with the Police or Public Ministry, with free guidance via the 1884 hotline and nationwide consultorios; a recent Santísima Trinidad case cites 20,000 soles missing.