The Civil Guard dismantled a six-person group in Vila Joiosa accused of forming a crime network that targeted holiday rental owners. The suspects allegedly used intimidation to force owners to pay a monthly or irregular vacancy fee, with extortion totals estimated around 62,000 euros. The operation also led to the recovery of five hijacked homes, three of which were occupied at the time, and these properties were restored to their rightful owners.
The investigation began last April in Vila Joiosa after authorities learned that a property owner had been seized by guests staying at a vacation rental. The owner, who initially did not report the incident, was pressured to leave the residence for 14,000 euros and ultimately paid a portion of the demanded sum.
As investigators followed the trail, they uncovered a broader scheme rather than a single isolated incident. The ring coordinated its activities to seize short-term rentals under the pretense of normal occupancy. Members communicated in ways that mimicked legitimate tenants or family guests, creating a facade of ordinary use while exploiting the properties.
In practice, the group would occupy the homes and, when the owners sought to regain possession, refuse to leave and demand higher sums for extending the rental period. If confronted, they resorted to intimidation and damage to property to press their demands. They staged scenes to demonstrate their seriousness, including the damage of furniture and other fixtures to persuade landlords to capitulate. The extortion began to escalate, with demands of 14,000 euros from owners who wished to reclaim their property.
Victims who paid money often saw little relief, as the perpetrators did not honor promises and continued seeking additional payments. Through this coercive system, the criminals accumulated about 62,000 euros, and one complainant reported losses of 23,000 euros due to damage and stolen goods.
Three men and three women, aged between 27 and 42, all of Spanish nationality and with prior criminal records, were identified and arrested in May on charges including fraud, embezzlement, extortion, harm, and affiliation with a criminal organization. The group was said to be led by a 36-year-old woman who had established verbal short-term rental agreements and obtained keys from unsuspecting landlords.
In the period when interventions occurred, a detainee was photographed in Vila Joiosa as part of the ongoing operation.
On the final day of a rental agreement, the principal perpetrator claimed to property owners that the home had been rented for an extended period. The owners were taken aback, and the 33-year-old husband of the woman who led the scheme then stepped in to carry out threats and intimidation to enforce compliance.
The houses remained under the control of the group for extended stretches, with members rotating through occupancy and even assigning ownership to relatives to prevent eviction. This strategy helped the group maintain occupancy while continuing to extract payments from landlords.
The investigation revealed that fear and threats had silenced several victims, deterring them from reporting crimes or providing information. After the arrests, the case proceeded through the local justice system, with four of the six detainees receiving prison sentences. They faced charges of fraud, embezzlement, extortion, harm and membership in a criminal organization, according to authorities.
The intervention by the Civil Guard brought relief to residents in Vila Joiosa, a region with many vacation rentals that peak during the summer. The crackdown underscores ongoing efforts to protect property owners and deter criminal activity in tourist zones.