In Alcorcón, a suburb of Madrid, police have arrested a woman who worked as a housekeeper on suspicion of large-scale fraud. According to the investigation, she appropriated nearly 110,000 euros from the elderly woman she was caring for. To do this, the suspect obtained bank cards in her employer’s name and, over a long period, withdrew money and made purchases without the owner’s knowledge.
The investigation began at the end of August after the elderly woman, together with her new caregiver, went to the police. After her husband’s death—he had managed all the family’s finances—she noticed numerous suspicious transactions in her bank statements. These included regular spending at stores, payments for travel both within Spain and abroad, as well as frequent ATM cash withdrawals.
The Fraud Scheme
Police discovered that, following the victim’s husband’s death, the housekeeper took advantage of the situation and applied for new bank cards in the employer’s name. With access to personal documents and belongings, she began using these cards for her own purposes. All transactions were carried out without the account holder’s knowledge or consent.
Investigators established that the suspect had constant access to the elderly woman’s home and personal belongings. Over two years, she managed to spend a significant amount by taking advantage of the victim’s trust and lack of oversight. The entire scheme hinged on the fact that she was the only person caring for the victim after her husband’s passing.
The role of relatives
During the police operation, the housekeeper’s brother was also detained. He is suspected of forging documents to illegally register a car belonging to the victim’s family in his own name. According to investigators, he submitted false documents to the road authority to transfer ownership of the vehicle to himself.
Both suspects were taken to the station and placed at the court’s disposal. They have been charged with fraud and document forgery. The investigation is ongoing to determine all the circumstances and any additional incidents.
Impact on the family
The victim, who lost a large sum of money, was shocked by the extent of the deception. She admitted that she completely trusted her housekeeper and suspected nothing. After her husband died, she was left without support or control over her finances, which the housekeeper took advantage of.
Police remind the public of the importance of closely monitoring bank accounts, especially when outsiders have access. In such cases, it is crucial to regularly check statements and never hand over personal documents even to the most trusted helpers.
