The Guardia Civil has arrested a couple in Torrevieja who had spent several years evading the authorities. Investigators say the pair were wanted under 62 active court orders and are suspected of running a nationwide network of fraudulent rental adverts and identity theft. The operation, named Avilator 25, began when officers noticed a spike in rental scam reports in the town earlier this year.

According to the Guardia Civil, the suspects replied to online posts from people searching for homes and offered non‑existent properties at below‑market prices. They allegedly collected personal documents from victims and sent fake contracts using photographs of other people whose identities had already been stolen. The stolen identities were then used to contact further victims and to activate multiple prepaid mobile lines.

The couple, aged 36 and 44, had lived in Torrevieja since 2022 and reportedly kept a low profile. Officers say their home contained 25 SIM cards, several mobile phones and tablets, clothing used in the scams, and a range of documents linked to the criminal activity. Small amounts of cannabis and traces of recent cocaine use were also found during the search.

So far, 53 victims have been identified in provinces across Spain, including Alicante, Málaga, Madrid, Sevilla and Valencia. Many also faced administrative problems after their identities were misused. The detainees have been placed at the disposal of Torrevieja’s Investigating Court, which has ordered their immediate imprisonment. The Guardia Civil urges the public to verify landlords’ identities, be cautious of unusually low rents and avoid making payments before confirming a property’s legitimacy.