LOS ANGELES
A Swedish national who allegedly used the name and likeness of notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar to scam customers has been extradited to the United States and arraigned on federal charges, federal officials announced Friday.
Olaf Kyros Gustafsson, 31, also known as “El Silencio,” arrived in Los Angeles Friday after being extradited from Spain. He pleaded not guilty to a 115-count indictment that includes wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering. A trial is set for May 20.
Prosecutors say Gustafsson, CEO of Escobar Inc., marketed fake products—including phones, flamethrowers, and “physical cryptocurrency”—using Escobar’s name and image. From 2019 to 2023, customers paid for products they never received.
To promote the scheme, Gustafsson allegedly sent doctored samples to tech reviewers, including gold-wrapped Samsung phones passed off as Escobar devices. When customers complained, he reportedly mailed promotional items like “Certificates of Ownership” as false proof of delivery to block refunds.
Funds from the scam were funneled through accounts in the U.S., Sweden, and the UAE to hide their origins.
The IRS, FBI, and FDIC-OIG are investigating the case, with help from U.S. and European law enforcement.