David Cánovas Martínez, a Murcia native known as TheGrefg, began the proceedings in April 2023 after moving to a building he owned. He rose to fame as a YouTuber and relocated to Andorra in 2016 to reduce tax obligations. Recent local reporting notes that he has since acquired at least two additional properties. In the wake of public controversy, Cánovas issued a statement that not only affirmed the events but also outlined his business model: purchasing buildings, evicting tenants, renovating, and re-letting apartments.
“A company of mine purchased a property,” TheGrefg stated in his note. He claimed the previous owner had already informed tenants of the sale for renovation and future rental, which necessitated a vacancy. The sole exception was a long-term occupant, a senior resident, who remained in residence. Addressing a prior “abusive occupation,” Grefito SLU pursued eviction, a decision approved by Andorran courts that is currently under appeal. “This is a rental matter with no specific details,” he contended, adding that a senior resident-youtuber has said it should not be news. The newspaper sought his side of the story but had not received a reply at the time of writing.
They are widely recognized as astronomical figures within the YouTube ecosystem, attracting millions of euros in annual revenue through platform ad models and brand campaigns. Their earnings stem primarily from audience views and advertising partnerships, a pattern common among top creators.
Over time, some younger creators have accumulated substantial wealth, though the means of storage and transfer remain unclear. The move to Andorra by several individuals has added complexity. Market observers note that the country’s trade registry restricts access to corporate records to registered lawyers, creating barriers for those seeking accounts tied to entities there. If companies operate in Andorra, accessing their financials can prove difficult.
However, some information from Spain remains accessible. El Periódico de España, part of the Ibérica Prensa Group, examined companies tied to several Spanish online personalities to determine whether similar structures exist. The general finding is that many do not operate through formal corporate entities; rather, some report income as freelancers. An example often cited is Ibai, who has historically managed a company directly under his own name. Porcinos Football SL, linked to sports events such as the Kings League, is noted as a case with minimal disclosed accounts.
Several figures did not respond to requests for information, with most inquiries routed through their management agencies. Willyrex, in particular, did not reply directly after being contacted by this publication.
Willyrex and Barcelona real estate
Guillermo Díaz Ibáñez, known as Willyrex, oversees a company bearing the same name and holds significant real estate assets. The latest accounts from the Trade Registry for the 2018 financial year show 1.08 million euros tied to property investments; there was no declaration for 2017, and Willyrex SL remained under the control of the YouTuber at least through October 2022.
Although based in Andorra, Díaz owns three properties under his company’s name: a 232-square-meter apartment in Pedralbes, one of Barcelona’s most prestigious districts (valued up to 2.59 million euros according to Fragua), a 103-square-meter home in Sant Gervasi, and a stake in a 278-square-meter venue in the same neighborhood.
Public records indicate Willyrex relocated to Andorra in March 2019. In his final Spanish financial year, his company’s income was zero euros with a modest profit of 454 euros. Yet the company’s assessed value exceeded 1.5 million euros, mostly in real estate holdings, complemented by liquidity of about 255,000 euros and nearly 146,000 euros in long-term investments.
Illojuan and real estate holdings
Juan Alberto García Gámez, known as Illojuan, hails from Malaga and has become a prominent figure in online entertainment. He manages a business focused on trading goods and real estate development, Garmez Portfolio Management 2021, which was established in 2021 and has not filed accounts in any fiscal year. Current information suggests he does not own property outright, despite his public presence and ventures.
García also directs Illopass SL and OGS, entities that benefit from his activities but have not submitted accounts publicly.
El Rubius and Sabadell securities
Rubén Doblas Gundersen, known as El Rubius, moved to Andorra in 2021 amid notable public attention. Critics argued that tax authorities treated him like a suspect, arguing that his business structure resembled a shell company designed to minimize taxes. The tax authority’s stance reflects a broader debate about personal versus corporate tax treatment for high-profile content creators.
The tax administration sought 73 thousand euros from Doblas, including 50,000 euros in unpaid personal income taxes and 23,000 in penalties, a claim upheld by the High Court of Madrid. Analysts emphasize the need to assess whether a business truly operates as a corporate entity or functions primarily as a personal endeavor with corporate wrappers.
Doblas is associated with Snofokk SL, a production-focused company that remained 98.7% owned through early 2023. He led the company until 2021, after which control shifted to Luis Héctor Turiel, a lawyer. The company, while based in Andorra, has continued activities in Spain. In its 2022 accounts it reported revenue around 1.2 million euros and a loss of about 260,000 euros, employing two people and spending over half a million on staff. The firm held a promissory note of 697,000 euros from Banco Sabadell and 552,000 euros in cash, a figure that had been higher in previous years.
Xokas and a costly aquisition
Joaquín Domínguez Portela-Martínez, better known as Xokas, remains one of the newer faces to achieve major online fame. His path followed others like AuronPlay and Willyrex, who have sustained long-term online incomes. His profile rose after moving to a higher-profile status in Spain, with sports-coverage peers such as Gerard Romero also gaining traction. Xokas recently announced the purchase of a duplex penthouse in Madrid for around two million euros, plus an additional 300,000 euros for renovations. The purchase was publicized via social media and located in a sought-after Chamartín development, described as a historic office building converted into a living space with two bedrooms and three bathrooms, with one originally built as part of a larger room later redefined as a contemporary space.
The size of the new duplex is not publicly specified, but estimates place it near 200 square meters, implying a price well above typical market norms. Brains Real Estate data places the going rate at around 7,140 to 8,800 euros per square meter for similar high-end properties, markedly below the price point observed for this purchase. Xokas maintains a company under his own name, La Diligencia Entertainments, focusing on film and video production. In 2022, the company’s turnover reached 574,000 euros with a profit of 380,000 euros, after corporate taxes of about 126,000 euros. Since its inception, the company primarily operated from an apartment in central Madrid, later relocating to Abadín in Lugo, a town with fewer than 3,000 residents. This shift signals a broader pattern of real estate and corporate activity among high-profile content creators in Europe.