Alicante Civil Guards have arrested two individuals in the Murcian municipality of Beniel and are pursuing a third person in connection with a murder investigation tied to at least two fraudulent schemes involving the sale of lemons. The case has prompted a broader look into how fraudsters operate within the agricultural market and the steps authorities are taking to bring the perpetrators to justice. (Civil Guard)
In February, investigators uncovered that two fruit and vegetable companies, located in Alicante and Orihuela, were targeted under the framework of a regional program known as the Plan against thefts in agricultural and livestock farms. The frauds appeared to span from 2021 to 2022 and involved the sale of Berna lemons, totaling 59,000 kilos for roughly €14,759. The discovery raised concerns about the vulnerability of small farmers to deceitful practices and the need for stronger safeguards in the supply chain. (Civil Guard)
The ROCA unit of the Torrevieja Civil Guard Company led the investigative work to identify the fraudsters and effect arrests. Early steps showed that the criminals crafted a believable front by presenting themselves as legitimate operators through the two companies and a trusted middleman. This appearance of solvency helped them win the confidence of farmers and facilitate the illicit transactions. (Civil Guard)
According to the investigators, the criminals purchased goods from their victims at slightly above market value using informal arrangements that gave them leverage to dictate payment terms. Through these measures, they built a working relationship that looked legitimate but concealed the underlying fraud. (Civil Guard)
When the agreed payment deadline arrived and victims attempted to contact the buyer, the fraudsters offered excuses and delays. They exploited the time gap to avoid payment, thereby depriving the farmers of the money owed for the lemons. The manipulation of timing and communication was a key tactic in sustaining the fraud. (Civil Guard)
Evidence established that both companies were connected and, together with a Beniel-based group of affiliated entities, formed a framework used to defraud multiple trade partners in the fruit and vegetable sector. The alleged operations appeared to be organized around a single network, with the Beniel group acting as a logistical hub for the scheme. (Civil Guard)
Two inspections were conducted at the surveyed companies on April 25, during which investigators collected a wide range of documents for analysis. The findings indicated arrests followed the apprehension of company executives with prior police records for similar acts. A mediator in these suspicious operations was also placed under investigation as part of the broader probe. (Civil Guard)
Three individuals—all adults—were taken into custody and later charged with multiple counts of fraud. The suspects, described as Hispanic men aged between 38 and 79, faced formal accusations for two separate fraud offenses linked to the lemon sales and related commercial activity. (Civil Guard)
Prosecutors and civil authorities continue to advance the criminal case in Torrevieja, while the Civil Guard maintains its investigative actions to determine the full scope of the activities and to identify companions who may have aided the scheme. The ongoing inquiry highlights the persistent need for vigilance in agricultural trade, particularly when intermediaries and middlemen can obscure fraudulent intent. (Civil Guard)