Two suspects, a man and a woman, were detained in Getafe, a town near Madrid, on allegations of fraud, document falsification, and usurpation of civil status. The pair allegedly posed as financial managers to mislead victims and steal funds. The investigation began after a neighbor reported to the Complaints and Citizens Assistance Bureau at the Elche National Police Station that she had been deceived by a person claiming to offer financial services. About 50,000 euros were allegedly diverted to fund the fraud scheme, allegedly by guiding the victim’s family in financial decisions.
Following the victim’s report at the Elche Police Station, officers from the Crimes Against Property Investigation Group opened an inquiry to determine how the accused obtained such a large sum during a marriage connected to Elche. The victim stated that a man contacted him by phone, offering substantial savings on electricity and other household services. Trust grew, and gradually the family’s finances were handed over to the man, who presented himself as a trusted financial manager and controlled payments and income.
total freedom
In addition, health issues affecting the victim led to repeated hospitalizations. The alleged fraudster exploited this vulnerability, maintaining complete freedom to conduct economic operations under the pretense that the victim’s finances were in capable hands and would recover.
As time passed, the victim began receiving calls from telecommunications and credit agencies claiming unpaid debts and missed monthly payments. The victim, however, had not requested loans or signed any contracts—yet the pressure mounted, and bank statements showed red balances when he checked the account.
Upon discovering the deception, the victim reported the situation to the Elche National Police, prompting further investigative steps.
Full account access
A sequence of police actions confirmed that the male suspect accessed the victim’s bank account, pension, and credit lines, executing transfers totaling close to 32,000 euros to various accounts tied to the primary bank account. Personal marriage documents were found, suggesting the suspect may have used them to apply for loans with multiple institutions and to obtain two credit cards in the victim’s name, lending more than 16,000 euros.
During the operation, an image of the victim’s marriage documents emerged, indicating possible loan applications and card issuances—performed in the victim’s name to the extent that several thousand euros were extended.
Photo involvement in the case was noted as provided by the National Police, with information continuing to be gathered.
Throughout the investigation, authorities confirmed that the man did not act alone. Telephone calls to victims originated from a line used by a woman who was ultimately arrested for fraud as the beneficiary of funds misappropriated by the first suspect, and she cooperated with investigators.
Ultimately, the agents located the suspects in Getafe and completed a difficult inquiry. The man faced charges of fraud, document forgery, and usurpation of civil status, while the woman was also identified in connection with the fraud, according to police sources.
The arrest of the two individuals proved a highly challenging operation due to security precautions. A notable incident occurred when the suspect, trying to avoid recognition, presented himself under a different surname while issuing a traffic ticket, and claimed a relative’s identity.
Searches of the detainees’ homes yielded relevant documents, a stun device, two mobile phones, and a laptop.
Other possible victims
During the course of the inquiry, authorities linked the defendants to other cases involving similar frauds, including a separate case where an elderly victim was defrauded for around 35,000 euros. The investigation remains active, with the possibility that additional crimes could be uncovered and more people detained. In police jargon, individuals who act as conduits to receive stolen funds for others are called “mules.”
Investigators also confirmed that one of the suspects opened a phone line contract in the victim’s name, sometimes by mimicking the voice of an elderly woman. The detainees, a 32-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, both with prior fraud histories, were turned over to the competent Court of Inquiry in Getafe for further proceedings.
End of report.