The National Police, in collaboration with the Tax Surveillance Unit of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, have confirmed they have dismantled a criminal organisation accused of defrauding more than €8.39 million, affecting over 3,221 holidaymakers in the south of Tenerife, from an investigation that started in June 2023.
Investigations have confirmed that all fraudulent transactions were conducted exclusively in physical shops in Tenerife, with no online operations linked to the scam.
Shops Used as Fronts for Fraud
As previously reported, the criminal network operated under 17 different business names in the popular tourist municipalities of Arona and Adeje covering Playa Las Americas and Los Cristianos. These shops, appearing as conventional retail stores, were in fact fronts for fraudulent activities, using card payment terminals to carry out unauthorised bank charges.
The authorities have also confirmed that the owner of one of the businesses responsible for the highest number of fraudulent transactions is currently missing, prompting an international arrest warrant to be issued against him.
A Sophisticated and Pre-Planned Scam
The organisation’s modus operandi involved targeting elderly holidaymakers who visited the shops, just before they returned home to their own country. Criminals collected personal and payment details through purchases and later used advanced technology to process fraudulent charges.
The victims only realised they had been scammed after leaving the country, making it more difficult to take immediate action. To cover their tracks, the fraudsters created false invoices to justify the illegal transactions in case of disputes.
Ongoing Investigations and International Cooperation
The authorities are continuing to analyse seized electronic devices and track the movement of the stolen funds. The National Police and Customs Surveillance are working closely with EUROPOL and consulates of affected countries to locate victims and recover stolen funds, which the Canarian Weekly has had an active part in.
Tourists who suspect they may have fallen victim to this fraud are encouraged to file a formal complaint, which could assist in the recovery of funds and strengthen legal action against those responsible.
The National Police would like to thank the public for their collaboration and remind citizens that they can report any information related to criminal activity anonymously through the official website www.policia.es, in the "Collaborate" section. All information provided will be handled confidentially by law enforcement specialists.
