A new wave of scandal is unfolding in Madrid, centered around David Herrera Lobato. Previously employed in the small Andalusian village of Arahal, Herrera Lobato has become the focus of a court case that could have far-reaching implications for Spain’s political elite. He is suspected of participating in fraudulent schemes involving the partner of the head of the Madrid government, as well as defrauding European funds—a development that has already sparked widespread public debate.
On Wednesday morning, Herrera Lobato was escorted under guard to the National High Court in San Fernando de Henares. His appearance was unremarkable: gray tracksuit, green jacket, eyes cast down. Yet behind this modest exterior, investigators believe, lies a key figure in a string of financial frauds. In court, he proclaimed his innocence, stating he gained no benefit from the charges against him and lives with his mother, helping only acquaintances with paperwork.
Fraud scheme
Investigators allege that Herrera Lobato was involved in the so-called BEC (Business Email Compromise) scheme—one of the most common forms of corporate fraud. The method is simple: scammers pose as trusted suppliers and use forged emails to get money transferred to their own accounts. In this case, €70,000 was siphoned from the budget of the European security mission in Somalia. A fake email was used, with only one character changed in the domain, and the funds were sent to a Spanish bank account that, according to investigators, the defendant controlled.
Notably, the scheme was uncovered thanks to the vigilance of the real Kenyan supplier, who reported the fraud two days after the transfer. This quick alert made it possible to trace the sequence of events and identify the alleged participants. In court, three members of the Guardia Civil confirmed that Herrera Lobato was the one controlling the account that received the funds.
Connection to other cases
However, the story doesn’t end there. The name Herrera Lobato has already appeared in another high-profile investigation linked to the partner of the Madrid regional president, Alberto González Amador. This case involves forged invoices and tax evasion amounting to €350,000. Investigators believe the accused used shell companies to generate fake expenses, which allowed him to lower his tax liability. The companies mentioned in the documents were registered either to Herrera Lobato himself or to acquaintances from Arahal—among them, even a local bartender and baker.
Nevertheless, the defense insists their client lacked both the technical expertise and resources to orchestrate such a complex scheme. The lawyer argues that other individuals, not considered by the investigation, may also be involved. The accused cites health issues and denies any malicious intent, stressing that he has cooperated fully with the investigation and provided all necessary medical documentation.
Reactions and consequences
The court session lasted just over an hour before the judges retired to deliberate. The question of Herrera Lobato’s guilt remains unresolved, but it’s already clear that the case has caused widespread public outcry. The involvement of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office underscores the gravity of the charges—this body intervenes only when the financial interests of the European Union are at stake.
In Arahal, where until recently Herrera Lobato ran his own accounting firm, news of his arrest came as a real shock. Locals are discussing the details of the case, while the accused maintains he was simply helping acquaintances with paperwork and acted without malicious intent. Nevertheless, his name has already become synonymous with new types of fraud threatening not only private companies but also international organizations.
Story continues
As the judges prepare their verdict, public attention remains focused on the details of this trial. Another high-profile case lies ahead—an investigation into tax fraud involving a partner of the head of the Madrid government. In this situation, the defense argues that the case involves an accounting error rather than criminal intent. However, investigators insist that the scheme was carefully planned and carried out using shell companies registered to residents of Arahal.
In any case, this trial has already become one of the most talked-about in Spain. It clearly shows how vulnerable even major international organizations are to modern fraud schemes. The court’s final decision could set a precedent for future cases of this kind.
Recalling recent events, it’s worth noting that public attention was previously focused on another high-profile case. A court in Madrid decided to exclude the organization Manos Limpias from the case against the Prime Minister’s wife due to the lack of confirmation of bail payment. This decision raised numerous questions about the progress of the investigation and sparked heated debate. For more details on this court ruling, see the article Judge removes Manos Limpias from case against prime minister’s wife over unpaid bail. Such developments highlight just how complex and intricate legal proceedings in Spain have become.
