- Two suspects, a 44-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, arrested in Torrevieja for an elaborate online scam.
- They defrauded approximately €20,000 from 30 victims across 19 Spanish provinces, including Álava and major cities like Madrid and Valencia.
- The scam involved a fake website cloning a major telecom provider to steal victims’ bank details during prepaid card top-ups.
- Stolen data was used to create virtual payment cards linked to their phones, enabling purchases of prepaid cards, crypto coupons, and other goods.
- authorities seized 65 mobile devices, 87 SIM cards, 9 crypto wallets, and more than €12,000 in prepaid anonymous cards from their home.
- The man was placed in provisional prison while the woman remains free under charges; investigations continue as more victims may emerge.
Couple Arrested in Torrevieja for €20,000 Telecom Website Scam Affecting 19 Provinces
Two individuals-a 44-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman-have been arrested in torrevieja, Spain, after orchestrating an online scam that defrauded around €20,000 from 30 victims across 19 provinces, including Álava, Madrid, Valencia, and Sevilla. The operation involved cloning the website of a well-known telecommunications company to trick users into exposing their bank details when topping up prepaid cards.
How the Scam Worked
The suspects created a fraudulent website almost identical to the legitimate one of a telecom operator. When victims tried to recharge their prepaid phone cards, they were unknowingly giving away sensitive banking information directly to the scammers.
Using this data, the couple generated virtual payment cards through digital wallet platforms. These virtual cards were linked to the suspects’ mobile phones, allowing them to make fraudulent purchases without raising initial suspicion.
What They Bought with Stolen Funds
- Prepaid cards
- cryptocurrency coupons
- Food products
- Clothing
All transactions were mainly made in various shops around the Vega Baja del Segura area in the Alicante province.
Extent of the Fraud and Examination
The Civil Guard began investigating the scam in July after receiving a complaint. Initially considered isolated, further probes linked it to multiple similar cases spanning wide geographical areas:
| Province | Victims |
|---|---|
| Álava | Included |
| albacete | Included |
| Alicante | Included |
| Badajoz | Included |
| Castellón | Included |
| Ciudad Real | Included |
| Córdoba | Included |
| Cuenca | included |
| Huelva | Included |
| Huesca | Included |
| Jaén | Included |
| Madrid | Included |
| Murcia | Included |
| Sevilla | Included |
| Tarragona | Included |
| Toledo | Included |
| Valencia | Included |
| Zamora | Included |
| Zaragoza | Included |
Additionally, investigators discovered 13 payment cards issued in Cyprus, France, Greece, Lithuania, and Poland, indicating the possibility of victims in those countries as well.
Seizure and Legal Outcome
The police found a “fraud operations hub” at the suspects’ home, seizing:
- 65 latest-model mobile phones
- 87 SIM cards
- Multiple high-end laptops
- 9 cryptocurrency wallets
- Numerous prepaid anonymous bank cards totaling €12,000
Following their arrest, the man was placed under provisional imprisonment, while the woman was set free but remains charged. The investigation continues as authorities analyze the seized material and search for more victims.
Protect Yourself From Similar Scams
- always verify the official website URL before entering sensitive data.
- Use two-factor authentication when possible.
- Avoid recharging prepaid cards via third-party or suspicious websites.
- Keep antivirus and security software updated on your devices.
- Report any suspicious activity promptly to your bank and local authorities.
This case highlights the increasing sophistication of online scams and the importance of vigilance in digital transactions.
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