The National Police in Alicante have arrested three people for their alleged involvement in a series of property scams that have defrauded victims of more than one million euro. The investigation into the group, which targeted foreign nationals looking to buy holiday homes on the Costa Blanca, began several months ago following numerous complaints from disgruntled buyers.
According to police reports, the criminal network was led by a foreign woman who had formerly worked in the real estate sector for several years. She used her expert knowledge of the local property market and her fluency in multiple languages to gain the trust of her victims. The scammers reportedly offered properties at attractive prices, often using fake documentation and legal paperwork to make the transactions appear legitimate.
One of the most distressing cases involves a 75-year-old woman who paid 25,000 euro towards a property, only to find herself embroiled in an embargo process that left her in a state of helplessness. The investigation revealed that the group often sold properties that were not legally available for sale or belonged to third parties who had no knowledge of the transactions.
Alongside the suspected ringleader, the National Police also detained her partner and another associate. A fourth individual, residing outside of mainland Spain, is also under official investigation. During the operation, officers seized various documents, electronic devices, and luxury items believed to have been purchased with the proceeds of the fraud.
The detainees have been brought before the Alicante Investigating Court, where they face charges of fraud and belonging to a criminal organisation. Authorities believe there may be further victims who have not yet come forward and are encouraging anyone who suspects they have been targeted by this group to contact the National Police.