Twenty people were arrested in the cities of Torrent and Paterna following a large-scale police operation targeting an organized crime group involved in the “child in trouble” scam. Around two hundred people from various regions of Spain fell victim to the scheme, with total damages exceeding 120,000 euros. The fraudsters sent messages pretending to be children or close relatives, urgently requesting immediate money transfers under the pretext of a financial emergency.
The investigation began over the summer, when police received multiple reports from citizens who had gotten alarming messages from unknown numbers. In each case, scammers convinced victims that their loved ones were in trouble and needed urgent assistance. Unaware of the deception, people transferred money in hopes of helping their family members.
The scam scheme
The masterminds behind the scam paid close attention to detail: to receive the money, they used the bank accounts of so-called “mules”—people who, for a small reward, provided their account details for cashing out the stolen funds. Once the transfer was made, the money was quickly withdrawn and handed over to other group members. This tactic made it harder to trace the crime and to identify the true organizers.
During the investigation, it was found that most account holders lived in Torrent, which became the main base of the criminal network. Police detained not only the direct perpetrators but also intermediaries who coordinated the transfer of cash.
The lavish lifestyle of the ringleader
Special attention from law enforcement was drawn to one of the gang leaders—a 25-year-old man with no official income, yet living in a luxury home in Paterna. His mansion was equipped with a ‘panic room’ secured with an armored door, where weapons, ammunition, and self-defense items were stored. During the search, authorities seized expensive electronics, a collection of designer clothing and shoes, as well as five cars—plus a rented premium vehicle—despite his lacking a driver’s license.
The house also contained jewelry, watches from well-known brands, and cash. All property was seized as part of an investigation into fraud, money laundering, and participation in a criminal organization.
Money flows
Funds received from victims passed through a complex chain of banking operations. The ‘mules’ would withdraw cash and hand it over to the organizers for a small commission. Some were caught during these handovers. Investigators determined that the criminal group operated in a coordinated manner with a clear hierarchy, allowing them to defraud hundreds of people across the country.
As a result of the operation, all key suspects were detained, and the group leader was remanded in custody by court order. Police are continuing to identify additional cases and possible victims.
Operation details
Searches were carried out simultaneously at several locations, allowing authorities to seize not only cash and valuables but also electronic devices used to send fraudulent messages. During the investigation, evidence was found linking those detained to other types of crimes related to financial fraud.
A total of 20 people belonging to three interconnected criminal groups were detained. They have been charged with fraud, money laundering, and forming a criminal organization. The investigation is ongoing, and the number of victims could increase.
Notably, the detained gang leader had no official employment record or any involvement in legal business activities. His lavish lifestyle, expensive cars, and luxury real estate attracted special attention from investigators. Currently, all his assets have been seized, and he remains in custody by court order. RUSSPAIN.COM reports that such fraudulent schemes are becoming increasingly common in Spain, and police regularly warn citizens to remain vigilant when receiving suspicious messages.
