A 26-year-old man was detained in Alcanar for harassing 21 minors online. Police found thousands of illicit images. The suspect posed as a teenager to contact girls nationwide.
Spanish police have arrested a 26-year-old man in Alcanar (Tarragona) on suspicion of sexually harassing 21 underage girls through social networks. The investigation, led by the Policía Nacional, revealed that the suspect created a fake online persona, presenting himself as a 16-year-old boy named Álex, to approach girls aged between 9 and 17 from various regions of Spain.
According to police sources, the man used images of real minors to build credibility for his false profile. He initiated contact with nearly 200 girls across different platforms, maintaining regular communication with 37 of them and ultimately harassing 21. The suspect manipulated his victims psychologically, gradually gaining their trust before pressuring them to share increasingly explicit material. Authorities report that he resorted to threats, warning some girls he would publish their private images if they did not comply with his demands.
The case came to light after an 11-year-old girl from Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura) reported being harassed online by someone she believed to be a 16-year-old named Álex. Their initial contact began through the chat function of a popular multiplayer video game, where the suspect adopted a friendly and even romantic tone before escalating to sexual harassment and blackmail.
During the arrest, police seized computers, mobile phones, and tablets from the suspect's bedroom, where he spent most of his time. Forensic analysis uncovered 2,958 photographs and 213 videos containing child pornography. The man, who lived with his retired parents and had no known employment, did not have any prior police record for similar offenses.
The operation was coordinated by the Unidad de Atención a la Familia y a la Mujer (UFAM) of the Puerto del Rosario police station, with support from the Grupo Operativo-Policía Judicial in Tortosa (Tarragona) and the Grupo Técnico of the Brigada Provincial de Policía Judicial in Barcelona. The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by online predators using false identities to target minors, and the importance of vigilance by both families and authorities.
Spain has seen a rise in reported cases of online child exploitation in recent years, prompting law enforcement to strengthen digital monitoring and victim support services. The Policía Nacional regularly advises parents to monitor their children's online activity and to report any suspicious interactions immediately. The case in Alcanar underscores the need for continued public awareness and robust investigative cooperation across regions.
