The National Police, in a coordinated operation with the Romanian National Police and Europol, dismantled a sprawling international fraud network. Authorities say the group defrauded victims of more than three million euros through online scams carried out across several countries in Europe and beyond.
According to the National Police, nine suspects were arrested, including three in Malaga and six in Romania. The criminals posted fake advertisements for used cars and other goods on the internet, luring buyers and demanding upfront payments. After receiving funds, they vanished without a trace, leaving victims in the lurch.
During the operation, investigators conducted searches at 21 additional premises and seized valuables including jewelry and watches valued at more than 2,000,000 euros, along with 4,500 euros in cash, 2,800 pounds, and more than 20,000 euros in cryptocurrency. In total, authorities dismantled a sophisticated ring with cross-border reach.
Law enforcement also seized eight computers, a server, 17 hard drives, 14 mobile phones, 70 SIM cards, and a trove of documents related to the case. Over 120 bank accounts linked to those under investigation in Spain and Romania were frozen to disrupt the flow of illicit funds.
Detainees faced charges for more than 70 separate frauds, with recoveries and estimates of profits surpassing three million euros. Investigators warn that the final figures could be higher as material from the house searches undergoes thorough examination.
The inquiry began in late 2019 after a complaint to the National Police Station in Manacor. A victim reported being defrauded while attempting to purchase a vehicle online, triggering a broader probe with international implications.
Investigators concluded that fraud was not a single isolated crime but part of a large international criminal organization. The group reportedly comprised more than 30 individuals, largely of Romanian nationality, operating with a global footprint that affected victims in Spain, Poland, Switzerland, Portugal, Germany, and Greece.
Their modus operandi involved posting convincing fake advertisements for second-hand vehicles and other goods to attract potential buyers. After securing an initial payment, the suspects severed contact and disappeared with the money. In some cases, real ads from other users were repurposed by altering contact details to mislead buyers.
Identity usurpation and money flow
The organization appropriated victims’ identities and used Spanish bank accounts opened with false documents to receive payments. From there, funds were rapidly moved through a network of accounts controlled by the group and eventually withdrawn at ATMs in Spain or wired to foreign accounts. Investigators also detected the use of a front company to launder money and recycle illicit proceeds into legitimate channels.
Notably, many of the Romanian addresses linked to the case are situated in the Vaslui region, an area associated with a history of online fraud activities. This pattern has drawn ongoing attention from international authorities as they work to map the full scope of the operation and prevent further harm to consumers across multiple jurisdictions.
The case highlights how modern online scams blend fraud with identity theft, digital payments, and cross-border money movements. Authorities continue to pursue all leads, with additional arrests and charges anticipated as the investigation progresses and more material is analyzed. As law enforcement consolidates the evidentiary trail, victims are reminded to report suspicious ads and seek recourse through official channels to safeguard their financial information.