In Ponferrada (León), National Police officers have arrested a man who posed as a cyberbullying expert to deceive families. The scammer convinced parents he could stop their children from being harassed online and remove unwanted posts, all while offering fake legal support.
The investigation began last autumn when a lawyer discovered his name and job title were being used without his consent. The fraudster had created a fake online platform to contact parents of minors affected by bullying. He claimed to work in partnership with a well-known law firm and even forged signatures on documents to make his actions appear legitimate.
As a result, the swindler managed to convince at least two families whose children had been bullied at school that he could remove personal photos and videos posted online without consent. He demanded large sums for his services, starting with an initial payment of €395, and then raised his demands, citing extra costs. In just eight days, he received more than €5,000 by exploiting the trust and desperation of the parents.
The lawyer whose name was used in the fraudulent scheme learned about what was happening after receiving inquiries from concerned clients. It was his report to the police that enabled the investigation to begin and led authorities to the perpetrator. Shortly after, the scammer was identified during a televised news report and apprehended. At the time of his arrest, there were 22 outstanding warrants for his detention issued by courts across the country.
The man was brought before the court, where he was charged with fraud and unauthorized use of personal data. Police remind citizens to carefully verify the information about any services offered, especially when it concerns online safety for children.
