Natalia and Marisol, fictitious names kept to protect identities, were scammed by a man who reached out on Facebook with a story about moving to Spain. He manipulated Natalia into believing she needed to mail her belongings and demanded additional payments, crafting fake emails from a shipping company. A demand of 10,000 euros surfaced to clear the shipment at Portuguese customs. Conversely, he told Marisol that to start fresh in a new country she would need to open a bank account to deposit her savings. One lost her money, and the other faced a court ruling for money laundering.
Cybercrime has grown alongside everyday technology. The latest Cybercrime Report in Spain shows that in 2021 there were 305,477 computer crimes, up 6.1 percent from the previous year, according to data from the Ministry of Interior. Of these incidents, 87.4 percent involved computer fraud, and 5.7 percent involved threats and pressure directed at victims by cybercriminals.
Yet, among all crimes with evidence, only about one in ten cases came to light, and fewer than 5 percent resulted in the arrest of the perpetrators. Nevertheless, this newspaper notes numerous cases where fraudsters were caught and punished in Spanish courts, albeit gradually in terms of crime resolution.
Facebook Marketplace, an opportunity
The chance of being scammed on social networks extends beyond dubious friend requests that lead to a fake romance. There are also more direct methods of stealing money, often with surprising speed. Facebook, with more than 2.2 billion monthly active users since 2016 and 21.1 million profiles participating in the Spanish Marketplace, remains the largest social network in history. Marketplace lets users advertise and buy items directly, and unlike some alternatives, it offers a way to mediate the transaction, which can blur responsibility in the process.
Users on Marketplace can opt for payment channels outside the platform or even meet in person to complete a sale, but each option carries its own hazards. A Madrid District Court decision from May 17, 2023, recounts a case where a fictitious name, Victor, sold two mobile phones for 450 euros. He met Clara at the Buenos Aires metro exit, showing a purported money transfer to prove payment and then handed over the devices. The scam only came to light when the fraud was recorded and later verified by police.
Despite Clara’s calls and messages going unanswered, authorities could identify and arrest her after a tip-off. She was forced to return the funds and pay a fine for a minor fraud charge. In another instance, José Luis believed he was buying a car and a PlayStation 4 for 140 euros. After confirming that a shipment from a company called RMW was in transit, he paid the money, but the delivery never arrived. The scammer soon shelved the plan, and once sued, the individual was fined 360 euros for fraud.
Facebook Responsibility
Purchasing through platforms that do not mediate the payment process is akin to doing a street-level deal. A criminal law expert, Carolina González, explains that buyers and sellers face uncertainty about whether payments will be made or goods delivered as expected, all within the terms that are often not read. Marketplace may not directly profit from listings, which complicates questions of legal liability for stolen or counterfeit items.
As a result, users should know not only what to buy and from whom, but also where the purchase takes place and how the payment is managed. The reality is that platforms like Facebook do not guarantee every transaction, so caution and due diligence are essential for anyone engaging in online exchanges.