National Police agents delivered a fresh blow to a criminal organization linked to the international scam known as “My son is in a difficult situation.” The operation clarified 95 complaints and resulted in an economic loss of 410,000 euros for victims, with 65 individuals arrested across Malaga, Catalonia, and Madrid. A laptop was seized, along with 500 files containing potential victims’ personal information.
Police busted a network in Catalonia, Madrid and Malaga and arrested 65 people, including the ringleaders.
Investigations began in February 2022 after a noticeable surge in fraud complaints described locally as a troubling scheme. In these cases, cybercriminals use messaging apps to simulate a desperate situation, speaking to victims as if they were their own child. They claim a dire scenario and demand sums of money, typically transferred via bank channels, to resolve the supposed emergency.
There were more than 500 spreadsheet files on the network containing personal data of potential victims
Malaga, one of its centers of origin
As the probe expanded over months, investigators traced the fraud to a center in the province of Malaga where a dedicated cell operated under orders from higher-level leaders of the organization.
95 complaints that caused economic damage of 410 thousand euros to the victims were clarified
Beyond the core conspirators, many others spread across the country, especially in Malaga, Girona, and surrounding areas, assuming roles such as money collectors, recruiters of mules, or the mules themselves. The investigation identified a broad network with various responsibilities that kept the scheme moving.
The first arrests occurred in August 2023 in Torremolinos (Malaga), where a Dutch national was believed to direct the operation. A laptop and a mobile device were seized during the house search, and subsequent analyses revealed the fraud’s operational method.
Subsequent arrests followed in November of the same year in Fuengirola (Malaga). Collaborators, including several other Dutch nationals, were connected to the ringleader who oversaw money collection. The group traveled between the Netherlands and the Costa del Sol, using Girona as a gateway to exploit lower echelons and supervise the flow of funds. They are noted for a lavish lifestyle, staying in luxury hotels and driving high-end rental cars.
More than 500 files containing personal data
Their method began with acquiring large databases of potential victims for later exploitation. A seized laptop’s hard drive contained more than 500 spreadsheet files listing personal data, filtered by gender, age, country, bank, or city of residence. Each file housed roughly 150,000 records, forming a sizable reservoir for the scam.
After sending bulk SMS messages, victims were instructed to contact predetermined people at the numbers provided, creating a chain that enabled the scammers to manipulate banking movements and obscure the trail. They organized the flow of money by routing funds through third-party accounts found via word of mouth or social networks offering commissions.
Ultimately, authorities dismantled the criminal network. Sixty-five people were arrested, including two ringleaders, and 221 accomplices were identified nationally and internationally. The operation resolved 95 complaints and documented an economic loss of 410,000 euros; it remains open to address additional complaints linked to these incidents.
Preventive measures
The National Police emphasize several tips to reduce the risk of falling victim to similar scams:
• Attempt to contact a family member through an alternative channel if possible; if not, reach out to a trusted family member or friend to verify the situation.
• Stay alert to unusual language or expressions used by the sender.
• If fraud is suspected or confirmed, visit a National Police office or call 091 to report it and seek guidance.