Fake sports agent accused of abusing 61 minors in organised online grooming case
The Guardia Civil has arrested a man accused of posing as a sports agent and manager to commit serious sexual offences against minors. Officers have so far identified 61 victims, all under the age of 18, in the province of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
The investigation, codenamed “Fake Manager”, began in December 2024 when one victim, with psychological support, found the courage to report the abuse. Investigators say this statement was vital, as none of the other minors had felt able to speak out previously.
By March 2025, police had gathered enough initial evidence to launch a full inquiry, including a detailed analysis of the suspect’s mobile phone and multiple interviews with victims and witnesses. The findings revealed a pattern of highly planned and structured exploitation carried out mainly online.
False promises and emotional manipulation
Operating under an alias, the man allegedly presented himself as a professional sports representative with valuable contacts, offering bogus opportunities such as elite club trials and promotional exposure. These false promises were used to create pressure and a sense of obligation, ultimately leading to demands for explicit content or meetings that became sexual in nature.
According to the Guardia Civil, he also used fake profiles of young women on social media to widen his reach and lower victims’ suspicions. Through these profiles, he introduced sexual conversations, requested intimate images, and shared pornography to normalise the behaviour.
Victims reported that he persistently pushed sexual topics and used his supposed authority in the sports world to control and manipulate them.
Reoffending despite court restrictions
Police discovered that the suspect had already been under investigation and subject to a ban preventing him from activities involving minors. Despite this, he allegedly organised a sports-related trip with children, directly breaching judicial measures.
He was arrested again on 12th November and immediately remanded in custody. A search of his home uncovered further evidence, which is now being examined.
Authorities stress that these offences are aggravated by abuse of trust and authority, and that targeting minors for sexual purposes is itself a serious crime.
The Guardia Civil emphasises the importance of raising awareness of online grooming, urging families and young people to be alert to manipulative tactics disguised as mentorship or opportunity.
The case is being handled by the Judicial Police unit in Vecindario and has been referred to the duty court in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Gran Canaria.
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