The Guardia Civil arrested in a vacation rental in Calpe a 78-year-old woman and her 44-year-old son, both French nationals, after authorities confirmed they were fugitives holding European arrest warrants for extradition to France on fraud charges. The operation underlines how cross‑border financial crime demands swift coordination and the effectiveness of European arrest warrants in delivering justice when fugitives attempt to move across borders. (Fuente: Guardia Civil)
The arrests followed routine checks conducted by the Guardia Civil on lodging platforms and online booking sites, which routinely list a wide range of accommodations. These checks helped investigators identify the fugitives at a rural villa in the Calpe area, providing crucial leads that allowed officers to act decisively and without delay. The integration of online platform monitoring with traditional policing methods showcases the evolving approach to tracking serious crime across jurisdictions. (Fuente: Guardia Civil)
Calpe’s main post officers launched a three‑day surveillance operation around the property, noting that the individuals led a quiet, low‑profile life and largely blended with the local community. Their routine movements, choices of activity, and minimal interaction with neighbors drew little attention at first glance, a detail that highlighted the patience and persistence required in modern investigations. (Fuente: Guardia Civil)
Investigators verified the identities of both suspects and cross‑checked them against police databases to confirm the validity of their arrest warrants. They also established that the pair had been moving through Spain as tourists since 2019, a pattern that raised questions about the level of scrutiny fugitives face while traveling within the country. The case demonstrates how travel history can be a critical thread in resolving international criminal cases. (Fuente: Guardia Civil)
The son carried an European Arrest Warrant (OEDE) issued by French authorities for fraud connected to obtaining electronic goods through checks that later bounced. Prosecutors allege he acquired the items and then sold them to generate liquidity, resulting in an illicit total of about 46,000 euros. The allegation underscores a modus operandi that exploited the perception of legitimacy while exploiting financial instruments that left victims short of funds. (Fuente: Guardia Civil)
The mother, meanwhile, faced a separate order for search, detention, and imprisonment issued by the central investigating court of the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid dating back to 2019 for alleged fraud. The record indicates she deceived or attempted to deceive a French bank to obtain funds, bonds, or goods valued at approximately 30,600 euros. The case points to a broader pattern of deception and financial manipulation that prosecutors linked to this household. (Fuente: Guardia Civil)
To support the charges, authorities allege she employed fraudulent techniques such as depositing checks into accounts opened for that purpose and subsequently transferring the funds to accounts in Spain. The events cited trace back to November 2016 in Agen, located in the Lot‑et‑Garonne department of France, illustrating a long timeline of alleged fraudulent activity that spanned multiple years and jurisdictions. (Fuente: Guardia Civil)
Following the confirmation of the warrants, the Guardia Civil detained mother and son on October 30 in Calpe. They were placed at the disposal of the competent judicial authorities, which ordered their remand in prison while extradition proceedings proceed. The case highlights the ongoing collaboration between national forces and international judicial systems to ensure that suspects answer to serious charges beyond their home country. (Fuente: Guardia Civil)