National police agents specializing in cybercrime from the Valencia Police Headquarters were involved in arrests across three municipalities in Palencia. A total of seven individuals are expected to face charges related to a two million euro macro scam that exploited online store purchases.
The operation began in Castile and León, yet the investigation originated in Valencia. The security chief of the company involved eventually reported the details to the National Police in Valencia, known as the capital of Turia. Workers at stores in Valencia had identified a security breach several weeks earlier related to electronic purchases that enabled suspected criminals to commit fraud for an extended period.
According to information obtained by Levante-EMV, those arrested allegedly made purchases on the store’s website but did not complete payment. Instead, they abandoned items in the virtual cart while the system generated discount coupons tied to the effects achieved. In effect, they simulated high-value transactions by taking advantage of peak promotion moments such as Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
Profits from Popular Second-Hand Platforms
By using these checks and codes, the suspects purchased goods at highly favorable prices, typically between 10% and 30% of the item value, and then sold them on popular second-hand platforms. Platforms like Wallapop were cited as a channel for profitable resale at attractive prices that continued to yield significant returns for the alleged ring.
Estimates suggest that the actual cost of the items put up for sale and still in inventory could reach around two million euros, while the amount paid might be closer to two hundred thousand euros—a substantial margin that reportedly escalated to around 1.8 million euros in proceeds for the suspects.
Searches Across Palencia Towns
During searches of five residences tied to the case, authorities seized a range of items in Palencia’s three municipalities: Husillos, Villalobón, and Monzón de Campos. The confiscated goods included high-end bicycles, luxury watches, an assortment of sportswear, and other premium merchandise. All items appear to have been acquired through the fraudulent scheme or were connected to it in some way.
Seven suspects were placed in the custody of the Palencia court for processing as the investigation continues. Local sources, cited in Castile and León, indicated that the seized property is under judicial control as the legal proceedings unfold. The case underscores the ongoing challenges posed by online fraud and the importance of strong security practices in both retail platforms and corporate security departments.