agents National PoliceIn a joint operation with the Romanian National Police and Europol, he disbanded an international organization. would have defrauded more than three million euros via online fraud.
The National Police gave information by making a statement that he was arrested. nine people, three in Malaga and six in Romania He fake ads posted on the internet for the sale of used cars and other productsthey caught the attention of the victims and demanded an advance from them. After they were taken, they disappeared without a trace.
Moreover, 21 more people were searched and eight houses searched they intervene jewelery and watches with a value of more than 2,000,000 euros4,500 euros in cash, 2,800 pounds, more than 20,000 euros in crypto.
Eight computers, a server, 17 hard drives, 14 mobile phones, 70 SIM cards and other documents related to the investigation were also seized. Likewise, more than 120 bank accounts of those investigated in both Spain and Romania were blocked.
Detainees charged with more than 70 frauds and profits of more than three million eurosAlthough it is thought that these figures could be much higher, it is hoped that many more facts can be clarified by examining all the materials involved in the house searches.
Investigation started at the end of 2019 After a complaint to the National Police Station in Manacor, a victim claimed to have been scammed while purchasing a vehicle online.
Investigators concluded that fraud was not an isolated crime, but rather there was an important international criminal organization behind it consists of more than 30 people, mostly of Romanian nationality. Members of this group had an international scope of action, causing victims in Spain as well as Poland, Switzerland, Portugal, Germany and Greece.
‘modus operandi’, which is used to post fake advertisements on the internet for the sale of second-hand vehicles or other products that attract the attention of potential victims, and to commit fraud after setting a price and making the first payments. For the purchase, the organization cut off contact by holding the money. for him they even used real legitimate ads from other usersonly by changing contact information.
They usurped their identities.
get the money used Spanish bank accounts opened with false documents or extorted identities information they obtain from the Internet pretending to need the Internet to formalize business contracts with victims.
Once the money was received, it was quickly transferred between accounts controlled by the organization, eventually withdrawn from ATMs in Spain or sent to foreign accounts. Also detected use of a front company for money laundering, they were able to reintroduce illegally obtained money back into legal traffic.
It is noteworthy that most of the addresses registered in Romania are in the Vacea region, as it is well known that most of the inhabitants there engage in criminal activities related to Internet fraud.