Civil Guards operating under the Gethsemane operation detained a 21-year-old man in Villena on charges of committing 15 fraud offenses linked to a popular social network. The victims resided in the provinces of Alicante, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva, La Rioja, Toledo, Jaén, and Seville. The suspect was placed at the disposal of Instruction Court No. 2 in Villena.
By the end of September, Civil Guard officers in Villena received information about a fraud incident in Santa Pola, where the perpetrator had set up residence in Villena. After reviewing the data, the Citizens Service District detectives identified that this criminal activity was not isolated, launching the operation named Gethsemane to clarify the facts.
modus operandi
The accused used a well-known social network to present offers for goods at prices significantly below market value, drawing the attention of potential buyers. Contact with victims was established through a false identity, and the offender provided certain information aimed at securing payment. After funds were remitted, the individual disappeared, and no product was delivered.
Investigation
In the initial phase, investigators compared similar cases across multiple provinces and confirmed that 12 of the commercial agreements involved the sale of oil. Additionally, three other cases followed a parallel pattern, involving tenders for mopeds and quad vehicles. In total, the suspect collected 2,856 euros from 15 fraudulent events.
As the inquiry progressed, authorities identified the person behind the scheme, discovering that he controlled the accounts used to receive payments and the phone number used for Bizum transfers. The investigation culminated in late November when officers located and arrested the suspect, a young man from Villena aged 21.
The suspect now faces trial for 15 counts of fraud, with victims located across the provinces of Alicante, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva, La Rioja, Toledo, Jaén, and Seville. Villena was placed at the disposal of Court of Inquiry No. 3, and provisional release measures were issued by the court. [Citation: Guardia Civil]