National Police officers have arrested four individuals in Elche on suspicion of involvement in a criminal network dedicated to bank fraud. The group, consisting of three men and one woman aged between 40 and 49, faces charges of fraud and membership in a criminal organisation.
The investigation began following a report from a member of the public who alerted the authorities about several unauthorised bank transfers. According to a statement from the National Police, these illegal transactions resulted in a total financial loss exceeding 24,000 euro, carried out via multiple operations within a very short period.
Detectives from the Judicial Police Brigade at the Elche police station conducted an exhaustive analysis of the bank movements. They uncovered a sophisticated structure where they initially moved the stolen money into third-party accounts. Various individuals managed these accounts, which acted as primary recipients and allowed the funds to be broken down into smaller amounts, making tracking more difficult.
Once the initial transfers were complete, portions of the money were sent to further accounts, where cash was subsequently withdrawn from automated teller machines. These withdrawals were allegedly performed by intermediaries, often referred to as “mules”, who reportedly received small payments in exchange for their assistance.
This method of operation follows a common pattern in financial crime, designed to disperse money quickly to hide its illicit origins. The National Police noted that using multiple bank accounts alongside cash withdrawals is a clear sign of money laundering activities.
During the investigation, officers successfully traced the path of the money from the victim’s account to the final recipients, providing evidence of a coordinated effort between several people. It was also discovered that some of the suspects had previous records for similar offences, supporting the theory of an organised structure with specific roles.
All four detainees have been brought before the Elche duty court. The investigation remains open, and the police have not ruled out further arrests as they continue to look for other possible accomplices.