Nearly six arrest warrants were issued for a 38-year-old man from multiple jurisdictions in Spain, with allegations that he committed fourteen fraud offenses involving cell phones and vehicles within a six-month window, totaling more than 100,000 euros in losses. The case illustrates a pattern of deception that targeted unsuspecting buyers who believed they were completing legitimate transactions online and in person.
According to the Civil Guard, six warrants were active in the case, and the suspect was arrested by the courts of Granada, Lugo, Madrid, Malaga and Toledo following a complaint from a victim who advertised a mobile phone for sale on a well-known platform. The imposter appeared ready to buy and arranged a transfer of funds, even sending a payment confirmation. The seller, however, discovered that the money had not materialized in the account and realized they had been scammed, triggering the investigation that would pull in additional victims.
The investigation established that the individual used a consistent modus operandi to execute thirteen more scams in the previous six months, involving both mobile phones and passenger vehicles. The frauds were reported across several provinces, including Alicante, Jaén, La Coruña, Lugo, Madrid and Zaragoza, indicating a wide geographic footprint and a carefully orchestrated scheme to exploit online market platforms and casual buyers alike.
At the same time, six warrants remained in force from the courts in Elda, Granada, Lugo, Madrid, Malaga and Toledo, with both the Civil Guard and the National Police involved in the search and apprehension efforts. The pursuit of the suspect proved challenging due to the lack of a fixed residence, and the investigation required coordinated cross-regional operations to locate the individual’s whereabouts as authorities mapped out the criminal network and its travel pattern across Spain.
Within weeks, investigators tracked the suspect to a location near a restaurant in Monforte del Cid and moved to secure the arrest on April 19 after new evidence linked him to the ongoing frauds. In a separate development, law enforcement officials in Elda recovered a vehicle that had been misappropriated and subsequently restored to its rightful owner, a direct consequence of the detainee’s schemes. The case highlights the risks posed by online marketplace transactions and the importance of verifying payment before handing over goods, especially in cases involving high-value items.
Ultimately, the individual faced fourteen fraud charges presented to the Novelda Investigation Court and was released on bail, as the judicial process continued to unfold. The episode underscores the vigilance required by buyers and sellers engaging in digital commerce, and it demonstrates how a coordinated approach by local police, regional courts and national authorities can disrupt and deter organized fraud networks.