The Guardia Civil are investigating employees of a well-known rent-a-car company in the Canary Islands for alleged financial fraud. The investigation, part of Operation BENSIN, has already led to the arrest of a 44-year-old suspect on February 12th, with police warning that further arrests may follow.
The case began on October 7th, 2024, when the Guardia Civil in Lanzarote were alerted to a possible financial crime. A company executive reported discrepancies uncovered during an internal audit, which pointed to irregularities in financial transactions involving security deposits paid by customers.
Over the course of 2024, the company’s audit and oversight systems identified inconsistencies between official records and actual financial transactions. These findings suggested that some employees had been misappropriating funds, although the company itself was unaware of the scheme due to the sophisticated methods used to conceal the fraud.
In response, the company has fully cooperated with the investigation, committed to upholding its reputation and transparency principles. It has also taken steps to reimburse affected customers for any missing deposits.
Guardia Civil Cybercrime Unit Joins Investigation
Given the complexity of the case, the Lanzarote Guardia Civil sought the assistance of the @Team in Las Palmas, a specialist unit focused on cybercrime and financial fraud.
Investigators have been analysing the company's financial records, collecting evidence, and taking witness statements to build a case against those involved.
So far, no details have been disclosed about the total amount of money misappropriated, nor have authorities confirmed how many employees might be implicated.
However, the operation remains open, and authorities do not rule out further arrests as they continue to uncover more details about the scheme. The case highlights the risks of internal fraud within large businesses and the importance of stringent financial oversight to detect and prevent such illicit activities.
