In one of the most brazen Emery Street style scams to target the elderly, a group of eight criminals operated with a chilling level of coordination. Four men and four women exploited the vulnerability of seniors, often living alone, to cheat, rob, threaten, and in some cases beat their victims. The victims ranged in age from 72 to 95 and included individuals with disabilities. Authorities describe these acts as extremely serious. A notable incident involved an 88 year old woman who was warned with a glass of water held to her eye, a threat that would have ended in violence if the debit card password was not provided. These criminals chose their targets carefully and used fear as a weapon to gain access to homes and finances.
The scam unfolded as the eight persons typically worked in pairs. One pretended to inspect a boiler or electrical panel, while the partner searched for valuables. They would then disappear into the home with jewelry and other assets, leaving the victims frightened and financially harmed. If confronted, the thieves did not hesitate to unleash violence or intimidation to keep control of the situation. The elders were made to feel isolated and at risk, with access to their savings becoming the ultimate prize.
Investigators began to connect the dots in February 2023 when two assailants were detained by a Catalan police patrol. The suspects were found with the victim’s jewelry in their pockets, confirming the pattern of theft tied to the residential break-ins. The enforcement teams kept a close watch as the case unfolded, uncovering more details about the operations and the people involved.
defined
From Sants-Montjuïc, investigators pursued a network of fake gas inspectors who had targeted elderly residents since mid-2022. Although officers had photos of the suspects, identification proved difficult until a series of security camera images at banks where victims had gone to withdraw funds helped to pinpoint the perpetrators. The arrest in February 2023 appeared to be a turning point, and after the suspects were brought to court, they were released on certain conditions but remained under scrutiny. Phone taps and continued surveillance followed to build a stronger case.
Over time, authorities confirmed that eight individuals consistently acted as a team, with a clear line of coordination. They reportedly met at a bar near the homes they planned to hit, sharing victims’ addresses and personal details. A designated woman stayed behind at the bar to contact victims and signal when investigators would pass by their residences. This allowed the thieves to avoid the traditional door-to-door approach and rely on inside information to time their visits precisely.
Confidential data
Through this method, Mossos dEsquadra established that 14 elderly people in Barcelona had been attacked as part of the operation, and there is concern that more victims may exist. Eight suspects were arrested on May 30 and later released, but investigators remain convinced that the group operated as an organized, violent criminal network and not merely as isolated rogues. The age and vulnerability of the victims complicate legal progress, as some may have already passed away or show cognitive impairments by the time trials occur, but authorities are confident in building a robust case that proves both theft and violence.
In a particularly troubling detail, the threatened woman with a glass of water was verified when investigators examined the scene and found fingerprints on the glass in question after she reported the incident. This corroboration underscores the level of planning in the attacks and the willingness of the culprits to pressure their victims into compliance.
Much of the investigation seeks to determine how the criminals gained access to sensitive information about victims. The team reportedly had precise knowledge of each person’s name, phone number, age, and living situation, suggesting that data may have been illicitly accessed from large energy companies or similar data sources. Officials suspect that the criminals exploited stolen or compromised records to target individuals who were most vulnerable and less able to defend themselves.
The head of the Sants-Montjuïc investigation unit emphasizes that the group was not merely stealing cash. Their objective extended to stripping victims of personal wealth and jewelry, sometimes wiping out savings after detecting money in bank records. The case highlights how a calculated crime can move from opportunistic theft to a coordinated operation aimed at exploiting the weakest members of the community, and authorities are committed to pursuit and prosecution to prevent further harm.