agents National Police 45 people were arrested The story of a criminal organization that defrauds vulnerable elderly people by posing as Administrative workers, even going so far as to have fake badge plates installed to gain the trust of the victims. Total damage exceeded 300,000 euros.
Investigation started in August 2022 When agents identified multiple complaints arising from a similar, if unrelated, pattern of criminal behavior across the national territory, this led to a cross-checking of data across patterns where the relationship between those investigated was then determined. facts and the same criminal organization.
Agents analyzed the victims’ profiles in all cases and found that: They were old people living alone He stated that they had purchased certain goods before.
In particular, those investigated obtained lists of victims from companies involved in the sale of houses, whose employees attracted customers with supposed offers and gifts and, through confusing information, made them sign contracts to buy goods at a price higher than market value. .
Sometimes victims may not have the funds necessary to make the purchase, so They signed a contract with a finance company For this, they were given a loan with very high interest rates; This allowed them to pay for the products month by month, creating a debt that lasted for several years, as stated in a statement by the National Police.
In this context, members of the criminal organization contacted these elderly people by phone, posing as employees of administrations such as the courts, the Treasury or the Police Department.
With these calls, they deceived their victims by telling them that a crime had been committed. lawsuit against credit institution that they had previously financed their purchases and the judge ruled in their favor, forcing that entity to refund the entirety of those purchases.
In this way, they requested all the bank information that could be used to carry out transactions with their accounts, claiming that they needed to be able to deposit the money they received, under the pretext of completing the refunds. with complete freedom.
In case the arrested people could not get information by phone, they made an appointment to go to the victim’s home after making sure that she lived alone. When they came home they showed Fake emblem plates to prove they are public officialsGain their trust and gain access to their interior.
From then on, through all kinds of deception and social engineering techniques, they came to the following conclusion: required bank information. In some cases, they would even carry a data phone and ask the victim to enter their bank card and PIN code to deposit the so-called compensation. Once this was done, they left the house with the card and any visible valuable object, taking advantage of the distraction caused by a pre-planned phone call.
After the victims’ bank information is obtained, systematic looting of bank accounts, Ordering large unauthorized money transfers or cash withdrawals to accounts controlled by them. This caused a total loss of more than 300,000 Euros.
A coordinated police force eventually managed to disband the organization and arrest its members. 45 members, Including the most responsible people who were temporarily detained.
Moreover, 85 bank accounts blocked, 17 simultaneous registrations The incident resulted in the seizure of 46 phones, five luxury vehicles, 30,000 euros in cash, 30 luxury watches, 97,000 euros of fake banknotes and a firearm, among others, in the provinces of Alicante, Valencia, Toledo and Madrid. Effects.