Nov. 20 (Bloomberg) -- David Murcia Guzman, founder of a Colombian financial group accused of stealing customers' money via a pyramid scheme, was arrested in Panama, EFE reported.

Murcia was extradited to Colombia this morning after being apprehended by Panamanian police on a road in the north of the country, apparently planning to cross into Costa Rica, EFE reported, citing Oscar Naranjo, the chief of Colombia's police. Costa Rica doesn't have an extradition treaty with Colombia.

Colombian authorities ordered Murcia Guzman's arrest yesterday on charges of making money illegally via his DMG financial group, EFE reported. On Nov. 17, Colombia declared a state of emergency to deal with unrest after pyramid schemes that stole as much as 2 trillion pesos ($850 million) from customers.

Murcia couldn't be reached and Bloomberg News couldn't immediately determine whether he had counsel.

To contact the reporters on this story: Hugh Collins in Mexico City at hcollins8@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 20, 2008 10:57 EST