Everfx Scam Network: Global Police Crackdown at Barcelona and Across Europe
Law enforcement halted a key suspect at Barcelona’s El Prat Airport, targeting a pivotal organizer of the Everfx platform. The operation was tied to a multimillion-dollar cyber-fraud scheme that deceived hundreds of thousands around the world. Investigators indicated the ring relied on call centers outside the European Union to coordinate its activities.
In a briefing on Friday, Mossos d’Esquadra and the Civil Guard reported that the case forms part of the so‑called “Forex case.” The investigation began in 2018 after a victim filed a complaint in Puigcerdà, Girona. Last November, with assistance from police from seven countries, authorities dismantled a large international cyber-fraud network and halted its operations.
Billions at Stake
Fraudsters posed as financial experts operating call centers, enticing victims to invest through Everfx. The promises of high returns drew many to deposit funds, fueling the scheme’s rapid growth.
Estimates place the total losses in the billions of euros. Prosecutors noted the criminal group earned as much as 400 euros per minute, with roughly 50 million euros moved every three months. The scale is underscored by the police’s ability to intercept millions of controlled emails and offend networks that supported the fraud.
The operation culminated in the arrest of the network’s leader as he landed at El Prat Airport. Spanish authorities, including Mossos and the Civil Guard, detained him after he arrived from Romania, marking a significant step in the ongoing crackdown.
The arrest forms part of Eurojust’s coordinated effort on 8 November that led to the dismantling of 15 call centers. Investigations continued into 16 other individuals, with European arrest warrants and rogatory letters issued to third countries for others involved in the network.
Everfx Leader
The primary suspect remains in detention in Barcelona and is scheduled to appear in court. The Everfx platform’s promoter company has connections to sponsorships of high-profile sports teams and has been a focal point for a large share of fraud complaints and reports in the sector.
Criminals used fake brokers to pose as licensed financial professionals. They directed potential investors to Everfx, where initial deposits appeared modest but soon grew as the perpetrators cultivated the illusion of substantial profits.
The investigation that led to the arrest is being handled by the court in La Seu d’Urgell and the Lleida Prosecutor’s Office. Earlier this year, Mossos and the Civil Guard identified 476 fraudulent platforms related to the broader international case—Everfx among them—highlighting the widespread reach of such schemes across Europe.
Authorities warn the public to exercise extreme caution and verify that investment platforms are operated by legitimate companies. They advise skepticism toward unsolicited calls offering outsized returns from minor investments and remind potential victims that legitimate firms undergo formal licensing and regulatory oversight.
Attribution notes: Information from European police agencies and cross-border law enforcement operations conducted by Eurojust and participating nations informed these updates. The cases illustrate the need for rigorous due diligence and ongoing multinational cooperation to curb online financial fraud.