The Guardia Civil has arrested a 20-year-old man accused of property crimes for allegedly stealing cash from elderly people as they withdrew money from cash machines across several municipalities in Alicante and Valencia. The towns affected include El Puig, Puçol, Tavernes de la Valldigna, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Sax, Cullera, Benifaió and Montcada.
The investigation began after a rise in reports of similar incidents across different locations in the Valencian Community and other provinces, according to a statement from the armed institute. A joint analysis of the complaints revealed a common pattern in how the victims were chosen and how the crimes were carried out. The suspect used a method known as “scalping”, where confusion is created around the victim whilst they are using an automated teller machine.
The perpetrator would approach the victim, usually an elderly person, pretending that the terminal was broken or experiencing a technical issue. Taking advantage of the distraction, he would manipulate the cash machine, partially blocking the keypad or the dispensing tray using leaflets, newspapers or documents. This allowed him to make cash withdrawals without the victim initially noticing the theft.
Investigations confirmed that the incidents took place mostly on dates that coincided with the payment of pensions, social benefits or salaries, which are times when the number of elderly people visiting banks increases significantly.
The arrest took place on 10th June during a surveillance operation near a bank. Investigators spotted a man matching the suspect’s description interacting with an elderly person at a cash machine. Officers intervened immediately and arrested the suspect just as he had allegedly made an unauthorised cash withdrawal of 900 euro. During the operation, items linked to the investigation were recovered, and protection was provided to the victim.
Following the arrest, the Guardia Civil shared information with various territorial units and other security forces. So far, a total of 13 criminal acts have been solved, specifically 12 counts of theft and one of robbery with violence and intimidation. These offenses were allegedly committed between April 2025 and May 2026 across different towns in the provinces of Valencia and Alicante.
The Guardia Civil noted a striking similarity in all the solved cases: the victims were elderly, the crimes occurred at bank cash machines, the suspect wore a cap and a mask to hinder identification, and he repeatedly stole sums close to 900 euro.
The accused, a 20-year-old Romanian national, was also arrested by the National Police for similar incidents allegedly carried out within their jurisdiction. Officers from the Main Post of the Guardia Civil in Montcada led the investigation, and the proceedings have been delivered to Court Number 1 of the Civil and Instruction Section of that municipality. The Guardia Civil is continuing its enquiries to determine if there are more victims, to solve similar incidents across Spain and to identify any accomplices.
