Mossos dEsquadra arrest two scammers tied to a Catalonia crime network
In a coordinated operation by Mossos dEsquadra in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district of Barcelona, two men aged 44 and 32 were taken into custody on fraud charges. The suspects had been imitating other individuals and using stolen identity documents to access bank accounts. Their method involved joining victims at bank lobbies and withdrawing substantial sums of money before returning to their vehicle and departing to their next target.
The authorities report that the scammers employed photo identification documents bearing specific images to lower suspicion among bank staff. Over the course of a year, investigators identified at least 35 victims affected by these two individuals. The fraud is believed to have totaled more than €57,000 in stolen funds.
The investigation began in May of the previous year when Mossos investigators learned that a person was impersonating others to access accounts and siphon funds from bank terminals. The operation spanned multiple municipalities in Catalonia and parts of Spain, complicating the investigative process because the identity documents were stolen from vehicles, then repurposed solely to commit financial fraud.
crime partner
The two detainees acted in concert, with one providing practical support to streamline the fraud. He commonly rented vehicles that enabled travel between towns to reach different bank branches and later return home. The pair now faces charges of fraud, using authentic documents without legitimacy, and usurping marital status. They are also identified as part of a broader criminal organization that has operated across the region, accumulating a large number of prior records.
A practical premise of the case is that a larger network plans and coordinates the fraudulent activity. Investigators believe that other individuals within the organization recruit participants who have a physical profile matching owners of stolen documents. The detainees are thought to be part of this specialized circle, which provides structure and logistics for the crimes. The network reportedly distributes tasks, including recruiting new people to carry out fraud schemes, with roles assigned according to risk and opportunity. In this scenario, the detainees appear to have filled the most dangerous and hands-on position for a fee, in exchange for commissions, while other members handle supplementary tasks.
A crime network to catch scammers
Authorities emphasize that the observed fraud cases are not isolated. They point to a planned operation in which different members cooperate to identify potential victims, obtain legitimate-looking documents, and execute withdrawals at various bank locations. The operation reflects a broader pattern of organized criminal activity that relies on the supply chain of stolen identities, vehicles, and coordination to minimize detection. Law enforcement continues to map the network, identify links between members, and dismantle the structure that enables repeated offenses. The Fiscalía and regional police stress that persistent monitoring and cross-jurisdictional cooperation are essential to disrupt networks that target financial institutions and ordinary citizens alike.
In summary, the case centers on a duo who exploited stolen documents and impersonation to steal funds, with a larger covert framework that supports the scheme. The arrest highlights how organized crime can leverage everyday mobility—vehicles, travel between towns, and a web of accomplices—to execute fraud across several municipalities. The ongoing investigation aims not only to prosecute the two arrested individuals but also to uncover additional participants who contributed to the scheme and to recover further losses for victims.