Two Barcelona residents have found themselves at the center of a high-profile criminal case after police detained them on suspicion of orchestrating a large-scale phone scam. According to investigators, the suspects used hundreds of fake mobile lines to send out massive numbers of SMS messages targeting random recipients. Their actions affected dozens, possibly even hundreds of people, and caused losses to the telecommunications company exceeding 15,000 euros.
The investigation began after one of the mobile operators noticed suspicious activity: more than four hundred new lines were activated within a short period, and the documents used for registration turned out to be fake. Police quickly identified two residents of the Barcelona province behind the scheme, who had turned their apartment into a true hub for sending fraudulent messages.
The scam scheme
The perpetrators operated according to a well-honed scheme: using forged documents, they opened new mobile numbers from which they launched mass SMS campaigns. The messages contained links or instructions that tricked victims into unknowingly providing their personal data or access to their bank accounts. This type of scam is known as smishing—a form of phishing carried out via SMS.
In total, more than 790,000 messages were sent, enabling the scammers to gain access to the funds of unsuspecting citizens. The money was immediately converted to cryptocurrency or spent on electronics and other goods, which were then resold through online platforms.
Police operation
After the suspects were identified, police searched their apartment. During the raid, officers seized 75 mobile phones, 17 gaming consoles, professional hair styling equipment, a large amount of cash, and forged documents. Authorities also found over 10,000 euros in cryptocurrency cards and an additional 1,150 euros in cash.
Both detainees—a man and a woman—were taken into custody and soon appeared before a judge on charges of fraud and document forgery. The investigation is ongoing, as police do not rule out the possibility that the pair had accomplices or were involved in other similar crimes.
Scale of the damage
The economic damage from the scammers’ actions was significant not only for the victims, but also for the mobile operator, which suffered losses from the costs of sending messages and maintaining fake lines. According to preliminary estimates, more than 15,700 euros were spent on communication services alone. However, the actual damages may be higher when considering the losses of citizens whose data was stolen.
Police are urging residents of Barcelona and other regions to be especially cautious about suspicious messages, to avoid clicking on dubious links, and never to share personal information with strangers. If you receive a suspicious SMS, it is recommended to contact law enforcement immediately.
Electronics and cryptocurrency
Investigators paid particular attention to how the stolen funds were laundered. The scammers actively used cryptocurrency, buying vouchers and converting money into digital assets, which made it difficult to trace the flow of funds. In addition, they purchased electronics and other valuable goods, which were later sold on the secondary market to turn virtual money into cash.
During the search, authorities found not only mobile devices but also a significant number of forged documents, indicating a highly organized criminal operation. Investigators are continuing to analyze the seized materials to identify all instances of fraud and possible victims.
In case you didn’t know, the Policía Nacional is one of Spain’s main law enforcement agencies, responsible for combating crime, including cybercrime and fraud. In recent years, the force has placed special emphasis on investigating offenses involving new technologies and digital currencies. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the cybercrime units, authorities are regularly able to uncover and disrupt complex schemes aimed at deceiving individuals and businesses.
