The National Police has arrested a twenty-four-year-old man and a twenty-two-year-old woman in the towns of Torrevieja and Alicante for their alleged involvement in violent theft and fraud. The incidents occurred in Alicante, where the suspects reportedly stole an unlocked high-end mobile phone and exploited its virtual cards to conduct numerous fraudulent transactions, totalling two thousand two hundred and seventy euros.

The police intervention was initiated after the victim reported the incident, explaining that while on a late-night phone call, she was approached by the suspects. The man abruptly snatched the phone from her hands and fled, while the woman restrained the victim to prevent her from pursuing. During their escape, the woman accidentally dropped her bag, which the victim later discovered contained a passport and other personal items, aiding the investigation.

Following the investigation led by the National Police’s North Alicante station, it was established that the suspects had pre-selected their victim, tracking her until she was distracted by her phone call. They aimed to minimise resistance and gain access to personal and banking data from the unlocked device. After the theft, the suspects used the stolen phone to pay for a taxi fare. The man manipulated the situation to keep the phone accessible, while a third party impersonated an official to deceive the victim further.

After securing the victim’s information and delaying her reporting of the theft, the suspects gained access to her online banking accounts. They subsequently visited various banks in Alicante, San Vicente, and Torrevieja, conducting multiple transactions, resulting in significant financial loss for the victim. Following their arrest, police recovered the stolen phone and urged citizens to protect their devices while refraining from sharing personal information during unsolicited calls.