The Civil Guard investigation into a lemon trade scam uncovered a scheme run by a couple who used a façade of legitimacy to mislead farmers. The pair, a 45-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman, are accused of using a pretend company to buy lemons from unsuspecting growers, then fail to pay for the goods while reselling the fruit on the dark side of the market. The operation reportedly involved more than 73,000 euros and a fraudulent exchange of about 200,000 kilograms of citrus produce.
Officers from the Field Robbery Team ROCA in Torrevieja began looking into the case roughly two months ago after a farmer reported being lured into a transaction that started small then escalated. After making an initial payment for a modest order, the victims were coaxed into larger purchases. The lemons that were shipped to the buyers came with a bank note that proved to be unfunded, exposing a deliberate risk in the process and a lack of real financial backing behind the supposed business.
The ROCA unit expanded the inquiry and soon identified four additional farmers who faced similar fates. These new leads connected the deception to rural locations across the Murcian municipalities of Beniel and Santomera, and to Jacarilla and Orihuela as well. The pattern suggested a network designed to exploit trust and lead buyers down a path of nonpayment while the produce disappeared from the market.
Imitation of a solvent business
Investigators confirmed that the suspects posed as a legitimate company with a record of solvency. The con artists approached growers with offers to purchase large quantities of lemons, presenting themselves as capable of handling substantial orders. In one instance, the fake operation claimed it would buy more than 205 thousand kilograms of lemons at a value approaching 73,358 euros, a figure used to give buyers a false sense of security and credibility. The supposed corporate energy of the operation was meant to foster confidence and silence any red flags.
During the probe into the so called corporate headquarters, investigators found there was no actual office or address backing the enterprise. The absence of a real business location contrasted starkly with the polished documents and confident demeanor presented to the farmers. Nevertheless, the hands-on work of the Civil Guard disclosed the true identity of the two individuals behind the scheme, and both were taken into custody as the investigation continued. The man has a prior record involving similar offenses, while the woman, described by authorities as more passive in this crime, faced ongoing scrutiny as part of the same case. The legal file now rests with a court in Orihuela for further proceedings.
The case demonstrates how fraud schemes can masquerade as everyday business transactions, leveraging the appearance of legitimacy to pressured farmers into larger commitments. The investigators emphasize the importance of verifying financial backing, confirming the existence of formal offices, and performing due diligence on any business partner before extending credit or accepting large orders. The victims in this situation learned a hard lesson about the risk of trusting a glossy presentation without a solid audit trail. Authorities remind growers to insist on verifiable banking information, contract terms, and payment guarantees before any sale is finalized. All parties affected by this case are encouraged to cooperate with law enforcement to ensure that the perpetrators face the consequences of their actions and to prevent further harm to the local agricultural community.