agents National Police stoped Alicante to a woman Colombian nationality for offering bank account get money from scammersThe person referred to as “mule” in police slang reported the situation to the Provincial Security Directorate. The investigator then took the money out and delivered it to the top of the organization. The suspect appeared after taking the money. 2,831 € comes from a scam through The “son in distress” methodAlso known as a variant “suitcase fraud”.
An investigation was initiated based on a complaint from one person. Talavera de la Reina National Police Station (Toledo)that he told agents he was the victim of a scam.
Agents confirmed that this man was indeed the victim of a murder. Fraud with the “son in danger” method 2,831 euros were defrauded.
police investigation
The mechanism used in this type of scam, known as the “son in danger”, is a variation of another scam or scam known as the “suitcase scam”.
Either way, the authors of the scam communicate with their victims by: messaging apps and pretend to be relatives of the victims, deceiving them to claim that they need urgent help, enable the victim to send money to third-party bank accounts known as “mules” in police slang.
Agents of the Talavera de la Reina Judicial Police Brigade conducted the first operation. police investigations that took them to the city of Alicanteafter confirming that the bank account to which the victim transferred the money is in the name of a woman living in the city of Alicante.
So agents Alicante Judicial Police Provincial Brigade Economic and Financial Crime Groupthey undertook the continuation of the investigation, which, after several police interventions, confirmed that the investigation had withdrawn the entire amount taken from their bank account in different terms; 2,831 Euros from the fraud committed by the immediate upper echelon of the conspiracy.
Finally, after collecting all the evidenceagents managed to arrest the owner of the bank accountA person acting as a “mule” is charged with alleged fraud.
modus operandi
Police state that this step in the conspiracy usually consists of people who have it. economic problems and that they were caught by fraud networks as the last link in the chain. It is the people in this last link who receive the money directly from the victim, with the promise of easy money. Therefore, it often deals with the members of the conspiracy who are most exposed to police intervention. Provide identity data and real bank accounts to receive the money.
He then withdraws the money from the “mule” account and, according to the path agreed with the upper echelon of the plot, through a deposit that normally corresponds to another “mule”, sends them the money from the scam and charges a small commission for the “work” done..
However, despite the low participation in the conspiracy committed by the organization’s upper echelon The person who acts as a “mule” is also prosecuted for fraud because he was complicit in his execution, whether he knew it or not.
prisoner, 30 years old and Colombian nationalWhile he was waiting to be called to the judicial authorities, he was released after his statement was taken at the police station.
Tips to avoid these scams
In a statement from the Alicante Police Station, advices avoid being complicit in these scams and eventually be charged in a criminal case.
“To avoid being a part of such actions, always be wary of promises of easy money“, they point out in the first place.
“If you receive unexpected or suspicious money in your bank accountdo not contact your bank or the National Police in case of counterfeit money”.
“Bring these facts to the attention of the National Police as soon as possible and Do not transfer funds to unknown accounts. FinallyDo not give your bank account number to anyone. making transfers whose legality you doubt”.