The Guardia Civil has unraveled a massive international scam involving more than 50 victims in an operation that led to the arrest of the four people in Málaga and Benalmádena. The organization operated a call center on the Costa del Sol with dozens of telemarketers speaking different languages to lure victims from various countries. Additionally, five individuals in Palma de Mallorca are under investigation. The crimes involved include fraud, money laundering, and disclosure of secrets, with the total fraud estimated at nearly 31 million euros, as reported by the law enforcement agency.

Operation Erebu: Unveiling the Scam

The investigation began in 2021 with a scam report of nearly 14,000 euros involving a victim defrauded on a trading platform. Investigators discovered the organization’s call center in the province of Málaga, employing telemarketers fluent in Spanish, Polish, Swedish, and Italian. The potential victims were primarily targeted through mass phone calls using illegally obtained phone numbers and internet banners.

Modus Operandi: Exploiting Trust and Coercion

The scammers would contact victims, initially coaxing them into making small investments. Once a rapport was established, they escalated pressure, coaxing victims to invest larger sums with promises of lucrative returns, insisting on immediate action. Victims were then directed to a fictitious website displaying their investments and false profits. However, when attempting to withdraw funds, victims encountered technical difficulties, with scammers eventually absconding with the funds or leaving accounts empty.

Global Cooperation Unveils Extent of Fraud

International cooperation from nine countries helped identify additional victims, particularly in Poland, who were duped by the Málaga call center. The group used multiple companies and bank accounts across Cyprus, Greece, Germany, and Spain to funnel the defrauded funds. According to the Guardia Civil, a portion of the the fraudulently obtained funds were used to finance extravagant spending, including cars, trips, and extravagant parties with employees enjoying hefty commissions based on their results.

Operation Outcomes and Seizures

The operation unfolded in two phases, with the initial phase in Málaga resulting in the arrest of four individuals. Four raids yielded crucial evidence, including three vehicles, the seizure of 454,131 euros, and the freezing of 17 accounts.