Authorities on Fuerteventura, part of the Canary Islands, have identified a group linked to a fraudulent scheme involving five residents who reported losses tied to rental arrangements. The suspects, aged between 24 and 42, were located in Lanzarote and Seville and are under investigation for alleged fraud connected to fake vacation rental listings that prompted victims to transfer a total of 2,600 euros for non-existent properties.
The case began after five individuals filed complaints at the Corralejo main police post. They explained that they were drawn in by advertisements promising holiday homes for rent on Fuerteventura. The victims were contacted by the advertiser through a popular social network, arranged a meeting to view the property, and were asked to place a deposit via bank transfer or a payment app in order to secure the reservation and obtain the keys to the supposed rental property.
Block of victims
Believing the listing to be legitimate, the victims transferred funds to the alleged landlord. They traveled to the meeting place to collect the keys, but the advertiser never appeared. Attempts to contact the advertiser failed as the profiles used for the scam were blocked on instant messaging platforms after the payments were made. In several cases the perpetrators altered the social media profiles used for advertising or blocked those who raised concerns, preventing further communication.
On Fuerteventura, a dedicated Cybercrime unit noted that the fraudster used the social network to lure victims, gather information about the incidents, post a fake rental advertisement featuring a non-existent home, and vanish after receiving advance payment.
Safety advice
How can such frauds be prevented? When a rental listing appears, investigators recommend confirming the property’s existence and verifying the landlord’s access by scheduling an on-site visit well in advance, consulting a neighbor or local authority for verification, and demanding legitimate proof of ownership before any commitment. Caution is advised for advertisers who rush responses, demand deposits, or require instant transfers or payments through non-refundable channels. It is wise to verify the recipient’s identity before completing any payment and to ensure that the beneficiary’s name matches the advertiser’s identity shown on social networks or accompanying documents.
People are urged to avoid sharing extensive personal details or submitting sensitive documents digitally. Criminals often rely on forged or impersonated documents to deceive victims, so prudent, step-by-step verification is essential in any rental transaction.
In summary, vigilance and due diligence are the best defenses against these scams. Prospective renters should insist on face-to-face verification, cross-check the advertised address, and confirm the legitimacy of all communications before transferring any money. The Civil Guard continues to warn the public to report suspicious listings promptly and to rely on official channels for rental arrangements. [citation: Civil Guard communications, 2024]