Online dating scam network exposed in Gran Canaria
The Guardia Civil has broken up a sophisticated criminal network that spent years conning vulnerable victims through fake online relationships while funnelling their stolen money through an international laundering scheme.
The group is made up of nine members of several nationalities, and operating what investigators describe as a professionalised cyber-fraud machine, using romance scams to emotionally manipulate victims before draining them of thousands of euros. The case began when a resident of Gáldar reported being relentlessly pressured for money by someone posing as a romantic partner.
What initially looked like a single scam quickly exposed a meticulously organised operation with advanced financial knowledge, forged identities, and an international web of bank accounts. The group opened dozens of accounts at various banks using stolen documents, making it nearly impossible for victims to track where their money went.
Investigators discovered 57 bank accounts and 30 phone lines connected to the gang. Several accounts have now been frozen, allowing at least one victim to recover part of what they lost.
This wasn’t just a romance scam. The criminals were also running “Man in the Middle” attacks, intercepting communication between companies and other people to hijack legitimate payments. In some cases, entire transfers were diverted without the victims realising until long after the money had vanished.
The laundering process was equally sophisticated. The group bought legitimate goods, including wine and construction materials, and shipped them to West Africa, especially Nigeria, to disguise the origins of the stolen funds and integrate them into legal trade channels.
The Guardia Civil warns that these scams are rising sharply and urges the public never to send money to someone known only online, no matter how convincing the story may seem. Officers stress that victims should not feel ashamed and must report cases immediately, either in person or through the Guardia Civil’s online portal for cybercrime complaints.
Share:
