Spain Sees Police Action Against a Pair Linked to the Tocomocho Scam Targeting Seniors
A national police operation in Benidorm led to the detention of a couple suspected of belonging to a widely active family clan involved in the notorious tocomocho con. Investigators connect the arrested pair to at least four frauds that harmed senior residents in Calp, La Vila Joiosa, and Alicante, with losses surpassing 42,000 euros. The 35-year-old man and his 32-year-old partner, both of Hispanic origin, were taken into custody and subsequently released from charges after a court appearance [National Police].
The Economic Crime Group of the Provincial Judicial Police Brigade continues to pursue the case, aiming to identify additional victims and broaden the sweep against this Madrid-based, nationwide network of roaming criminals. Multiple arrests for fraud have occurred across different regions as the probe advances [National Police].
The couple was intercepted at a Benidorm campsite, where authorities recovered two thousand euros in cash and a substantial number of items linked to victims’ belongings, found among the couple’s car records. Law enforcement also seized disguising gear such as wigs, mustaches, glasses, hats, and a collection of ONE TIME coupons used to stage the tocomocho deception and evade security cameras [National Police].
According to the Alicante Provincial Police, scammers frequently target seniors between 70 and 80 years old. One perpetrator may pretend to be illiterate or mentally compromised while using pre-drawn ONCE coupons to convince the victim that a prize is real. The other conspirator then plays the role of a confident helper, persuading the victim to part with money under the guise of securing the winnings and keeping the coupons for a supposed reward after tax or fees [National Police].
Tocomocho is a traditional scam that typically unfolds in busy public spaces. The con often begins with a victim chosen carefully, with one crook portraying a disoriented or naive persona, sometimes adopting a Galician accent to sound convincing. As the encounter progresses, the scammer asks about a lottery office to solicit a prize and then exploits the situation to extract cash from the victim’s bank or home, claiming they are safeguarding the winnings for later collection [National Police].
In Benidorm, authorities recovered the accomplice’s belongings alongside the suspect. The operation highlights the “hook” phase, where the helper unintentionally confirms the victim’s trust and facilitates the transfer of money in exchange for the promise of protecting valuables or coins. The guiding tactic is to spur the victim to retrieve money or valuables from a bank or home and to hand them over in a staged environment, with the hook presenting a plausible incentive and then initiating a hurried exit [National Police].
Further steps of the scam involve escorting the victim back to their residence and using the perception of a windfall to urge the victim to bring jewelry or other valuables to a private location. When the victim arrives at the bank or a secluded place to complete the exchange, surveillance often ensures the victim remains unaware of law enforcement presence. After the transfer, the money is concealed within an envelope or bag, and the supposed prize winner supplies the funds back to the scammers, who then abandon the scheme with a plausible explanation [National Police].
Crimes of this nature have surged recently, prompting ongoing public awareness efforts by the National Police through Civic Participation programs—speaking at day centers, civic halls, and nursing homes to alert seniors about common scam patterns. Officers share prevention tips and practical steps for responding to suspected fraud. Victims are urged to report any incident immediately so investigators can begin formal procedures and safeguard others from similar schemes [National Police].
Readers are reminded to stay vigilant about unsolicited offers, to verify any claims of winnings directly with official lottery or banking institutions, and to refuse advancing money or valuables to strangers proposing help with prize collection. Knowledge and quick reporting are essential to stopping these scams in their tracks [National Police].