They ring the doorbell and use convincing sympathy to lure elderly residents, sometimes posing as relatives who have come to help. Through a mix of blackmail, deception, or plausible pretexts, they push their way into homes and begin their plan. In police terminology, this method is described as a specific modus operandi, and in a recent case authorities referred to a 35-year-old Spanish woman as the alleged perpetrator. A simple gesture, a cup of water, becomes part of the staged routine that eases access and lowers the victim’s guard.
The Elche Police Station Forensic Police Brigade launched an investigation after two women entered an elderly woman’s residence using this very tactic and carried off valuables.
way of working
According to the Elche National Police, these thefts typically involve a small team that works to protect the victim’s privacy while the crime unfolds. The usual pattern features women who travel in pairs or small groups. They conduct a brief, seemingly innocent inquiry about the residents, then knock on doors, pretending to be relatives or acquaintances, sometimes distant nieces or family friends. They use persuasive conversation and a sense of familiarity to overwhelm the homeowner, gaining entry without raising immediate suspicion.
Once inside, one member of the group keeps the victim engaged with conversation, often under the guise of hospitality or casual sanctuary. Meanwhile, another participant roams the rooms under the plausible pretext of using the bathroom or fetching a glass of water. The distraction and pairwork allow them to search for valuables, pocketing jewelry, cash, or other cherished items. They exit the home with a casual exit line, leaving the victim to realize only afterwards what has been taken.
As investigations continue, authorities have identified the main suspects and located at least one of the alleged perpetrators. Additional suspects remain under active pursuit as officers pursue further leads and corroborate accounts from victims and witnesses.