The Alicante Civil Guard led a nationwide operation that resulted in 24 arrests across Spain. The suspects acted as money mules to move funds from cyber scams into their accounts, aiding criminal networks in laundering money. Commissions ranged from 100 to 500 euros. In total, investigators have linked 36,500 euros to these computer crimes, with two victims reported in the Alicante province. Most arrests occurred in Istanbul, Madrid, and surrounding areas.
The operation was coordinated by the Civil Guard with specialized computer crime investigators from Alicante. After dismantling up to three networks involved in this type of fraud, analysis of seized documents helped identify individuals who assisted in laundering funds. The money couriers, or money mules, were paid 100 to 500 euros per defrauded amount deposited into their accounts. The profit percentage depended on the volume of money moved into their accounts.
According to the Civil Guard, money couriers play a critical role in these criminal groups because they launder funds both online and in cash. The mule network is used to obscure the true source of the money and to hinder tracing by investigators.
Two Victims in Alicante
Across the national territory there were 29 reported scams, including two cases in Alicante and eight in Madrid. Other locations included Barcelona, Biscay, Cadiz, Huesca, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Palma de Mallorca, and Valencia. In total, 36,500 euros were defrauded. Twenty-four detainees had previously cooperated with three separate criminal organizations and were identified after reviewing documents from those involved in the incidents.
One organization used a website fraud method that impersonated a real site, and during the Christmas season and Black Friday, crafted several pages selling electronic items. On these pages, they advertised a fake sale of a well known video game console. This scheme was developed in April 2022 by teams operating from the Alicante, Murcia and Valencia Commands.
A second technique involved SIM card changes, fraudulently duplicating victims mobile phone SIM cards. Initially, cybercriminals impersonated the victims to obtain a SIM duplication. Once the victim lost phone service, the criminals gained access to personal information and controlled online banking using verification messages from the victim’s phone.
A third method relied on phishing. In this classic scam, large emails were sent to customers of authentic banking institutions with the aim of stealing personal account information. Fraudsters then used the obtained information to access online banking and authorize financial transactions through social engineering and text message verifications.
Arrests
The operation resulted in 15 men and nine women being detained. The ages range from 20 to 35, with nationalities including Spanish, Colombian, Dominican, Senegalese, and Uruguayan. Cases have been opened by the Office of the Prosecutor for the La Vila Joiosa Education Court to pursue legal action and accountability.
The Civil Guard emphasized that as online shopping increases, consumers must remain vigilant to avoid becoming victims of these scams. In cases where cybercriminals succeed, filing a formal complaint with as much information as possible helps investigators trace and reconstruct transactions.