National Police officers have freed an elderly man in Alicante. The elderly individual was allegedly held by a couple who were accused of defrauding over 85,000 euros.

Furthermore, it is purported that the individuals who were apprehended forced him into altering his will and conducted bank transfers to third parties in Colombia, concealing the intended recipient of the funds. The victim was able to flee while her captures were asleep. According to the police headquarters, he requested assistance from a neighbour, who then informed the police officers.

In May 2024, the victim encountered a woman at the hospital who suggested that she care for him after learning that he had no family or close acquaintances. This was the beginning of the story. A few days later, she and her husband moved in with her under the pretence of helping him and preventing others from entering the house.

They were attentive and kind for weeks, taking him for walks and establishing his trust. However, they soon enquired about their bank accounts, confidential passwords, potential heirs, and their heritage.

The agreement underwent modifications as the months progressed. The couple persuaded the victim to travel to Colombia, promising to purchase a property in his name. They processed a variety of documents in Colombia, but they never bought him about any property.

During the journey, he endured degrading treatment and humiliation, which worsened his condition and increased his distress. In Spain, his isolation was further exacerbated by the alleged confiscation of the keys to his own home in order to prevent him from leaving, as well as the stopping of his bank visits and the monitoring of his movements.

Taking advantage of the couple’s slumber, the elderly man was able to escape and request assistance from a neighbour, whom he promptly contacted at 091. A patrol that arrived at the scene discovered the victim in a state of anxiety and nervousness. The agents subsequently located and apprehended the alleged perpetrators in the vicinity of the residence after gathering their testimony and verifying the situation.

The Provincial Brigade of the Alicante Judicial Police conducted a subsequent investigation, which disclosed the full extent of the deception. The couple allegedly altered the elderly man’s will in their favour and transferred a total of 85,233.42 euros to bank accounts in Colombia. They made these transfers in the names of third parties to hinder their tracking.

Additionally, the woman registered two motorcycles in her name after acquiring them with a portion of the funds. It is believed that the accused’s son regularly used these vehicles, despite none of the detainees having the authority to operate them. The victim possessed only 270 euros in his bank accounts at the time of the police intervention.

The couple, a 43-year-old male and 53-year-old woman, were apprehended for the offences of fraud and illegal detention. The Alicante investigating court subsequently placed them in custody.

The Department of Tourism of Elche City Council will provide hot air balloon flights on Saturdays as part of the city’s celebration of the Jubilee Year. Irene Ruíz, the city’s councillor, stated that this initiative “will provide tourists and residents with a distinctive perspective of our Palm Grove, a World Heritage Site, while also providing them with the opportunity to experience the excitement of a balloon ride.”

Commemorating the Jubilee Year, this novel activity will be accessible beginning on Saturday, April 19th. To reserve your appointment, you must register on the www.elche.es/englobo website. The price is just 3 euros to make it affordable for residents.

The Candalix parking lot, situated adjacent to Paseo de la Estación, will host the hot air balloon, which will be custom-branded with the slogan “Elche, heaven on earth,” every Saturday from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The ride will be conducted in four-person groups.

Tourism Councillor Irene Ruíz asserts that this initiative “will provide a distinctive perspective on the Palmeral.” The initiative will be available until November 1st, the end of the Jubilee Year. Ruíz stated, “Our objective is to symbolically communicate the essence of Elche, and this product is also a tourist attraction that will enrich the visitor’s experience.”

Five members of a family in Alicante, Madrid, and Almería have been apprehended by the Guardia Civil. Investigators allege that they are part of a criminal organisation that defrauded merchants of over three million euros by promising fictitious international loans. Four victims have been identified by investigators; however, they believe that there are more than twenty.

Agents searched the family properties, which included a luxury residence in one of Alicante’s most exclusive residential areas and a storage room. Agents confiscated vacuum-packed cash during the search (pictured.)

The operation led to the seizure of a luxury vehicle, numerous bank accounts, electronic devices, and documentation related to the fraudulent transactions, in addition to nearly €27,000 in cash. The seizure of movable and immovable property, including a residence valued at over €2 million, was also requested.

The operation was initiated at the end of last year in response to a complaint from a merchant who had been defrauded of over 70,000 euros while applying for a supposed international loan of one million euros. This complaint revealed a criminal network with numerous victims in various provinces of Spain and even abroad. This initial complaint was succeeded by another, which claimed that a company that had submitted an application for a six million euro loan had been defrauded of over 600,000 euros.

Entrepreneurship recruitment

Entrepreneurs who were unable to obtain conventional financing sought alternatives in international private capital, so the organisation recruited them. A network of recruiters, often unaware of the scam, established the initial contact.

The organization’s members subsequently created fraudulent documents, advertised their services in offices located in reputable business districts, and scheduled appointments with a legitimate notary in Paris. The notary, who was unaware of the scheme, merely verified the signatures.

The victims were requested to pay additional amounts, citing bureaucratic or financial complications, after they had already paid the initial fees for management, broking, insurance, or purported international taxes. They never completed the transfer. The fraud was discovered by some victims after they had made multiple payments.

Currently, we have identified four casualties, but we anticipate that the total number of victims could exceed twenty. The economic loss is expected to exceed three million euros. The provinces of Alicante and Almería are the primary locations of those affected.

The married couple who were considered the ringleaders of the scheme were among those detained, and they were already apprehended in 2022 for similar offences during a police operation. The individuals involved in the scheme were able to maintain a high standard of living. The man allegedly violated the order to depart the country on numerous occasions to conduct transactions associated with the scam, including signing at a notary in Paris and collecting cash. Additionally, the other suspects received comprehensive training and were responsible for specific tasks within the conspiracy, including recruiting, translating, and preparing legal documents.

The Urban and Economic Crimes Team of the Alicante Judicial Police Unit conducted the operation with the assistance of the Technological Investigation Team of the same command.