The National Police on the Costa del Sol have arrested three individuals in Malaga for allegedly scamming a woman from Albacete by impersonating her daughter and tricking her into transferring €4,032.
This type of scam, where victims are deceived into believing a loved one is in financial trouble, continues to be a growing concern. The 56-year-old victim, who had previously sent money to her daughter without issue, only realized she had been scammed when she met her daughter in person again. She then reported the crime to the police.
The scammers convinced the victim to send two bank transfers to different accounts, with the money quickly withdrawn from ATMs in Malaga. A third transfer was made to another account, which, upon investigation, was found to have received €67,801 over five months from various scams, including the "child in trouble" and "man in the middle" schemes. These scams have left victims across Spain, including in Benidorm, Cadiz, Coruña, Madrid, Soria, and Zaragoza.
The three suspects, who have prior criminal records, were arrested in Malaga and have been transferred to the courts in Albacete for further legal proceedings.
Tips to Avoid Scams
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Be cautious of urgent payment requests: Whether the request seems to come from a relative, friend, bank, or service provider, always verify the situation through other means. Don’t trust the caller ID, as scammers can fake it.
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Verify the identity of the person contacting you: If you receive a message from someone claiming to be a loved one, ask for an audio message or a phone call to confirm their identity. Scammers often avoid direct communication.
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Be suspicious of payments to multiple accounts: Scammers may ask you to transfer money to various accounts, including overseas ones, or through apps. They often continue to request more money after the initial payment.
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Understand the legal risks: Anyone who receives money into their account in exchange for a fee, even if unaware of its illicit origin, may be liable for fraud, money laundering, or being part of a criminal organization.
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Avoid suspicious job offers: Offers that promise easy money for tasks like opening bank accounts or transferring funds often involve illegal activities. Participating in these schemes could lead to serious legal consequences, including imprisonment.