Fraud Case Unfolds Across Cities In Spain, With Suspects Targeting Bank Accounts
A bold attempt at fraud unfolded when a man tried to access money from an ATM using someone else’s identity. He had aimed to clear his own accounts but his withdrawal plan betrayed him. The maximum amount allowed stood at 2,490 euros, yet he attempted to withdraw 2,500 euros. The discrepancy triggered a terminal lock and drew immediate suspicion from the bank’s staff. In short order, the suspect was taken into custody, and a broader investigation began. Authorities suggest that residents from La Coruña or Oviedo may be involved in a wider string of scams, and investigators do not rule out more incidents yet to be uncovered.
That incident traces back to the previous Wednesday, when a call was placed to 091 from the ING headquarters in Zaragoza to report an attempt to withdraw funds from an account not belonging to the caller. The warning reached the Aragon capital just before noon, prompting swift action from local police units.
By around 12:00, officers from the Intervention Operational Group moved in at the scene. Bank staff explained that the young man had tried to withdraw cash from an in-house ATM, but the operation stalled due to the unusual check. It became clear that the identity used did not belong to the person presenting the card. The suspect offered inconsistent answers, first claiming to be a relative and later attempting to present himself as an aunt or mother living in Barcelona. These inconsistencies raised questions about the validity of the identification and the intent behind the withdrawal attempt.
The bank employee asked the suspect to contact the rightful account holder to verify the transaction, but the person claimed illness and could not be reached by phone. With that context, the employee requested the owner’s ID, and the suspect provided a photo of a national identity document. That number did not match any ING customer in the records.
The individual identified as the Spanish-born COG was arrested immediately after the initial checks. He is 19 years old and had no prior police record. Both he and the initial case file were referred to the Economic Crimes Group and the Police Prosecutor’s Office to determine responsibility for the fraudulent transactions.
The defendants contacted a resident of Málaga, who confirmed they had never authorized the movement of funds and did not know the COG. The investigation revealed at least two more victims reporting similar incidents in the same period.
One resident of La Coruña reported receiving an SMS on a recent Monday asking for authorization to complete different purchases totaling 2,790 euros. Within a short time, multiple emails followed with notices about these purchases, creating a troubling pattern of know-your-customer checks being bypassed and payment confirmations being manipulated.
Meanwhile, a resident of Oviedo described a related incident in which they woke to an SMS from El Corte Inglés requesting a verification code for a purchase. In reality, multiple purchases to the same account were attempted in a single night. The person canceled the operation after discovering that the cardholder being impersonated matched a Zaragoza resident. The arrest of that individual later prompted officials to scrutinize how access to victims’ data was obtained and used. The matter has been brought to the Investigation Court No. 9 in Zaragoza, with proceedings continuing under the scrutiny of counsel and authorities involved in financial crime investigations.
The investigation continues as police work to trace the data flow that enabled these unauthorized transactions. The case highlights the vulnerability of digital banking channels and the importance of corroborating owner identities in real time. Victims of the scheme are urged to monitor account activity closely and report any unauthorized transactions to their financial institutions. Authorities emphasize ongoing efforts to identify all people involved and to prevent further frauds from slipping through the cracks, with the support of banking partners and cybercrime units dedicated to protecting consumer finances.