this Civil Guard stoped Villa Joiosa six people accused of forming a dedicated crime group blackmailing tourist rental owners that they occupied and demolished if their owners did not pay A vacancy fee of 14,000 euros. The Civil Guard estimates the money extorted from the landlords at 62,000 euros, this amount must be added to the damage done to threaten victims to admit extortion. Thanks to the arrests, the Civil Guards recaptured five homes that the group had hijacked and three of which were simultaneously occupied, and returned them to their legitimate owners.
The operation was launched last April by the La Vila Joiosa Investigation Site after it learned that a person had been hijacked by guests of his vacation rental. The victim, who initially did not file a complaint, was asked to leave the house for 14,000 euros and the victim came to pay.
When the agents began their investigation, they discovered that this was not an isolated case, but a conspiracy devoted to finding short-term rentals. They communicated like their owners. family wanting to spend a weekend or a few more days off, but the reality was different.
Those involved occupied the house, and when it was their turn to leave, when the landlord contacted them, they refused not only to leave the house, but also to pay more for the extension of the rental days. At that time, they began to demand very high sums – 14,000 euros – if they asked their homeowners to leave their homes. Otherwise, they would crouch and damage their house.
To let their owners see that they are serious They hit and destroyed furniture in the building. Several victims came to pay, and the extortionists did not keep their word and were too busy asking for more money. Thanks to this system, they obtained 62,000 Euros and one of the victims caused 23,000 Euros worth of damage and stolen goods.
Civil Guard confirmed has been included, Three men and three women, aged 27 to 42, all of Spanish nationality, already had criminal records and were arrested last May for selling drugs in illegally occupied homes in La Vila Joiosa.
The extortion plot was led by a 36-year-old woman who had contacted the landlords. tourist residenceformalized a verbal short-term rental agreement and received the keys.
On the last day of the rental, the woman claimed to the owners that she had been renting the house for a long time. The hosts were stunned, and at that time, the 33-year-old husband of the woman in question entered the scene, tasked with carrying out the threats and extortions.
The houses were constantly occupied by the concerned, they took turns and even gave them to other relatives. In this way, they ensured that they were not evacuated because there were always people in the houses.
Blocked by Civil Guard investigation fear of those affected to complain or providing data due to threats from the criminal group.
After their arrest, they were brought to justice, and Court No. 2 in La Vila Joiosa ordered four of the gang’s six detainees to be sentenced to prison. The Civil Guards arrested them on charges of fraud, embezzlement, extortion, harm and belonging to a criminal group.
The Armed Institute’s intervention put an end to alarm among residents of La Vila in an area where many homes are rented during the summer months.