This case involves an Alicante-identified operation where two young adults, aged 25 and 28, are alleged to be responsible for a series of scams targeting different victims across Spain. Their fraudulent activity led to charges on bank accounts totaling approximately 4,000 euros, with losses reported around 4,000 euros and about 1,000 Turkish liras. Investigators recovered high-end items, alcohol, and tobacco bought with compromised card data at stores in Albacete.
The investigation began after four individuals filed complaints about unauthorized charges on their bank accounts. The implicated purchases occurred on the same day in various Albacete establishments. One victim reported a fraudulent purchase of €917.99 at a technology retailer; another charged €1,288 at the same store; a third reported €1,184 spent on alcoholic beverages at a local supermarket, and the fourth noted a tobacco purchase worth €604.80 at a tobacconist shop in the city.
Inquiries by Albacete authorities led to the identification of two youths from Alicante who have prior fraud convictions. One of the suspects had already been linked to similar cases in Albacete the previous year.
Arrest
Last week, two suspected fraudsters were arrested in Alicante after investigators connected them to the case. Law enforcement described the individuals as part of an organized network that operates in two distinct stages. In the initial phase, perpetrators obtain cardholder data through phishing schemes, exploiting security weaknesses in banks, businesses, or customer practices by sending messages that appear to be from legitimate banks or companies, encouraging recipients to click a link. The link grants criminals access to data on the victim’s computer or mobile device.
The second phase involves the use of mule accounts or cards controlled by a criminal network. Cards and accounts owned by banks are tied to victims’ card information via their mobile devices, enabling purchases until balances or limits are exhausted. The scheme relies on many businesses not requiring identity verification for mobile payments, and criminals frequently relocate to cities near their residence to hinder identification.
Advice to traders and citizens
Police guidance for retail staff emphasizes reporting suspicious activity by calling 091 and informing authorities about unknown customers. Staff should be cautious with high-value mobile payments and avoid rushing through purchases with customers who show little interest in price comparisons, especially when they buy cutting-edge items, alcohol, or tobacco without examining options.
Citizens are advised to bolster their security: use antivirus services, scrutinize sender addresses from banks, avoid clicking on unknown SMS links, and never share passwords. It is prudent to limit card purchases and enable bank account activity alerts. By turning on notifications, victims can detect the first fraudulent payment and act quickly to prevent further unauthorized transactions.