A 31-year-old man from Spain was detained in Alicante on suspicions of extortion tied to a months-long blackmail scheme. Prosecutors allege that he terrorized another man by exploiting a loan arrangement that spiraled into a sizeable debt and escalating threats to personal safety.
The investigation, conducted by the First Group Drugs and Organized Crime Unit (UDYCO) of the Alicante Provincial Police, began after the victim filed a complaint. Authorities say the victim, who had been under surveillance for weeks, reported that his life and wellbeing were being held over a loan he had reluctantly agreed to.
According to the testimony collected by investigators, the victim reached out in early August 2022 seeking financial help from an individual specialized in lending. The lender advanced 3,000 euros, but then imposed harsh, almost predatory terms that far outpaced the original loan, pressing the victim to repay 5,000 euros for a 3,000-euro loan within a single month. The victim reportedly faced the daunting reality that such a quick payoff would be impossible given his circumstances.
As the deadline passed without full repayment, the lender returned with an even harsher demand: an additional 1,500 euros for each month of delay. Faced with limited options, the victim agreed to these terms, and the debt began to compound rapidly.
Eight payments of 1,500 euros
Unable to clear the debt in the short timeframe, the victim ended up making eight separate payments of 1,500 euros each. In total, the repayments reached 12,000 euros, a sum that reflected repeated extensions rather than a single, manageable loan repayment schedule.
During the ongoing coercion, the lender allegedly issued further threats, telling the victim that while a few months might be granted to settle the debt, the ultimate price would be steep—up to 20,000 euros—to “ruin his life” or “beat him up” if the payments did not continue or if the case were reported to the authorities.
After the complaint was filed, UDYCO officers located and identified the defendant, who had a prior record of criminal activity. He was arrested on extortion charges and subsequently placed under the jurisdiction of the Alicante Provincial Court to respond to the accusations.