Catalonia has been rocked by a new scandal involving a 22-year-old resident of Sant Boi de Llobregat, who over several years has turned squatting into a lucrative business. Despite a long history of offenses, the young man continues his activities with near impunity, sparking a wave of outrage among property owners and politicians.
A Million Made from Other People’s Apartments: How the Scheme Works
His operation is both simple and shocking: together with a group of accomplices, he occupies apartments owned by banks and investment funds, then demands large sums from owners to vacate the properties. If the owners refuse to pay, the apartments are resold at a discount to low-income families. According to police estimates, over several years, the squatter’s profits have exceeded one million euros.
He demands up to 17,000 euros from owners for each apartment. If they refuse, the property is handed over to new occupants for just 3,000 euros. This approach allows him to generate quick profits while dodging serious consequences, since the deals are off the books and proving extortion is nearly impossible.
Law Powerless: Why There’s No Punishment
Despite 225 complaints and 31 arrests, the young man has not spent a single day in jail. All charges are classified as minor offenses, which in Spain are punishable only by fines. Even numerous repeat violations do not result in tougher penalties, as current laws do not provide for serious sanctions for such actions.
Court proceedings drag on for years, and evictions are delayed by two to three years. During this time, the squatter manages to change addresses multiple times and continue his activities in other neighborhoods. The authorities of Sant Boi de Llobregat tried to restrict his movements by issuing a court ban from the city, but this has not stopped him from seeking new targets elsewhere in Catalonia.
Public response and demands for change
The case has sparked a widespread public outcry. Property owners, political parties, and media representatives are demanding immediate legislative changes. They are calling for harsher penalties for repeat offenders and for real measures against organized groups engaged in such activities.
Experts note that the current system effectively encourages such schemes, as it cannot respond quickly to mass home invasions. The lack of effective tools to combat organized crime in the real estate sector leaves squatters feeling immune to consequences and allows them to keep profiting from the system’s vulnerabilities.
The problem is escalating: what’s next?
The case of the young millionaire squatter is just the tip of the iceberg. In recent years, Catalonia and other regions of Spain have seen a rise in similar crimes. The economic crisis, soaring housing prices, and inadequate protection of property owners’ rights are breeding grounds for a shadow real estate market.
While authorities debate possible reforms, squatters continue to exploit legal loopholes. As a result, not only apartment owners suffer, but also vulnerable families who fall victim to fraudulent schemes. The situation urgently demands government intervention and a reassessment of how such crimes are addressed.
As RUSSPAIN previously reported
Incidentally, Sant Boi de Llobregat is a city in the province of Barcelona, known not only for its industries but also as one of the epicenters of the illegal home occupation issue in Catalonia. In recent years, the municipality has been actively fighting this phenomenon, implementing new measures to protect property owners’ rights and working closely with the police. However, despite efforts by local authorities, cases of mass property seizures continue to rise. Catalonia as a whole ranks among the top regions in Spain for such incidents. Experts attribute this to the specifics of regional legislation and challenges within the judicial system. Authorities have repeatedly called for reforms, but real change has been slow. The problem remains among the most pressing for local residents and investors, and stories like this only highlight the scale and complexity of the situation.
