The Civil Guard has arrested five people and identified six others for a €20,000 fraud against a holiday rental company in Lanzarote. The fake intermediaries offered fictitious clients for tourist villas in exchange for a commission.
A holiday rental company based in Lanzarote lost nearly €20,000 after falling victim to a scheme involving fake clients orchestrated by a criminal organisation. The Civil Guard has managed to dismantle the network, which operated from Madrid and León, and has arrested five individuals, including the alleged ringleader.
The investigation, carried out by the Arroba Team of Lanzarote, began following a complaint from the affected company. According to sources from the armed institute, the fraudsters contacted the company posing as tourist intermediaries and offered a list of supposed clients interested in renting tourist villas on the island.
Commission after false payments
The modus operandi was meticulous. The fake intermediaries provided identity documents and bank card details to simulate payment for the bookings. The company processed the payments and, upon confirming the apparent deposit, transferred the agreed commission, which amounted to €20,000. However, shortly after, the issuing financial institutions cancelled the payments upon discovering that the cards had been stolen in other countries within the European Union.
Sources from the investigation have indicated that the alleged leader of the organisation accessed the money through withdrawals at ATMs scattered across the Community of Madrid, using bank accounts of third parties to hinder tracking. The scheme had around ten collaborators who provided personal documentation or accounts to support the fraud logistically.
Open operation and possible new arrests
The Civil Guard has arrested five individuals in the provinces of Madrid and León, and has identified another six for their alleged involvement in the crimes of fraud, document forgery, identity theft, and belonging to a criminal group. The operation remains open, and further arrests are not ruled out, according to a statement from the armed institute.
For the tourism entrepreneurs in Lanzarote, this news serves as a warning. The Civil Guard recommends taking extra precautions against offers from intermediaries promising immediate clients, and always verifying the authenticity of payments before paying commissions. The island, which heavily relies on tourism, has seen how such scams can damage trust in the sector.
The events date back to last year when the fake intermediary contacted the company. The swift action of the Civil Guard has allowed for the identification of the alleged perpetrators, although the investigation continues to determine the full extent of the scheme and locate potential additional victims.
The affected company, which prefers to remain anonymous, has cooperated fully with the authorities. The Civil Guard has emphasised the importance of reporting any attempted fraud to enable prompt action. Meanwhile, the detainees have been placed at the disposal of the judiciary, and more details about the operation are expected to emerge in the coming days.
This case highlights the sophistication of criminal networks operating in the tourism sector. The fraudsters exploit the trust and need of companies to attract clients to perpetrate their deceptions. The Civil Guard advises entrepreneurs that, in the face of any suspicious offer, they should contact security forces before making payments.
You may also like
