Fifteen individuals have been arrested by the Guardia Civil following an extensive investigation into a large-scale online scam operation. The criminal network is accused of defrauding both individuals and companies across Spain out of more than one million five hundred eighty-one thousand euros. This operation was triggered by a woman who reported a love scam exceeding one hundred thousand euros in two thousand twenty-three.

The investigation revealed that the criminals employed sophisticated techniques, including hacking emails and utilizing smishing (SMS phishing) and vishing (voice phishing) attacks. Some victims were unaware they were being scammed, believing they had correctly completed payments or were involved in emotional relationships.

The Guardia Civil’s Technology Investigation Team in Cáceres spent two years dismantling the criminal group, executing multiple raids across various provinces. During these raids, authorities seized numerous electronic devices, banking documents linked to foreign entities, and materials used for manipulating victims emotionally.

The detained individuals have been charged with offences including fraud, usurpation of civil status, money laundering, and membership in a criminal organisation. Eleven of the arrestees are subject to provisional imprisonment, with the remaining individuals required to surrender their passports and report to the authorities weekly.