A national police operation led to the arrest of a 59-year-old Libyan man in Alicante who is accused of orchestrating a 20,000 euro fraud linked to a fraudulent purchase of about thirty electrical appliances. The case highlights the growing concern over cross-border commercial scams and the steps investigators take to protect consumers from these deceptive schemes.
According to the report from the Provincial Police Station, the defendant approached a local employer in August of last year with an offer to buy roughly thirty white goods. The proposal was framed as a legitimate business deal, and the parties discussed terms that suggested a straightforward purchase of household appliances. The accused then proposed taking the negotiations abroad to finalize the agreement, specifically naming Germany as the country where the transaction would be completed. This international dimension is not unusual in fraud cases where perpetrators exploit the appearance of formal business dealings to gain the victim’s trust.
Subsequently, the accused traveled to Germany and acted as the intermediary between a German company and the complainant. The sale was presented as a cross-border procurement initiative, and the victim was persuaded to proceed with a transfer of 20,000 euros as a partial payment for the geared purchase. The transfer was intended to secure the order and guarantee delivery once the goods were manufactured and transported. The arrangement relied on the illusion of a legitimate corporate transaction and a seamless import-export process, common tactics used to lower the victim’s guard in such schemes.
After the payment was made, the buyer returned to Spain and awaited receipt of the promised appliances. However, the goods never arrived, and the victim promptly filed a complaint alleging fraud. The failure to deliver the purchased items, coupled with the absence of any clear shipment details, raised serious concerns about the authenticity of the deal and the conduct of the individuals involved. This pattern — promising high-value goods with a distant or opaque logistics chain — is a classic red flag in consumer fraud cases, signaling a need for heightened vigilance with cross-border transactions.
Detectives from the Economic Crime Group of the Alicante Provincial Judicial Police Brigade conducted a thorough inquiry, tracing the individuals involved and uncovering the precise identity and location of the suspect. Their work culminated in the arrest of the Libyan national at an industrial site in Alicante. Investigators emphasized that the operation was the result of careful collaboration between local law enforcement and specialized divisions trained to dismantle commercial fraud networks. The suspect, who had no prior police record, was promptly charged with the crime of fraud and remanded to court for further proceedings.
Officials noted that the case underscores the importance of robust due diligence in business dealings, especially when large sums and cross-border components are involved. Authorities reminded the public to verify the legitimacy of suppliers, confirm delivery terms with detailed contracts, and seek verifiable references before transferring money, particularly in international transactions where the risk of fraud can be higher. The investigation continues as prosecutors assess the evidence and determine the appropriate course of action in accordance with the law, while the defendant awaits further judicial processing.