Dental Professionals in Peru Face Rising Extortion Threat

Organized crime is increasingly targeting dental surgeons in Peru. Between 2024 and now in 2025, at least 18 complaints of extortion against dental professionals have been registered.

In 2024, 13 dentists faced extortion attempts. So far in 2025, at least 5 new attacks have occurred. These attacks are concentrated in Lima,Callao,Trujillo,and Piura,indicating the problem extends beyond the capital city.

Criminals demand between S/ 5,000 and S/ 10,000. In some instances, they’ve used violence, like placing explosives or setting offices on fire, to pressure dentists into paying. Dr. José Ricardo Rojas Rueda,dean of the Lima Dental College,reported he was also extorted. He received messages from a prison gang demanding money for “security.”

This situation shows extortion is spreading to sectors previously considered safe,like private healthcare. “Crime has already reached all sectors,” says Rojas Rueda.