The Guardia Civil has arrested a mother and her two children on suspicion of involvement in fraud targeting people seeking rental homes in Torrevieja. According to information reported by Objetivo Torrevieja on 17 October, the investigation was named Operation Velanidia.
Complaints described a similar pattern: victims contacted a woman advertising a property on a social network. After showing it in person, she collected the first month’s rent or a deposit and stopped responding. The report says she used identity documents stolen from another woman of similar appearance.
Investigators traced the group’s coordinated activity to Villarrobledo, in Albacete. They made three arrests there and searched a home, seizing forged documents. Those arrested were two women aged 53 and 24 and a man aged 25.
They are suspected of eight counts of fraud, as well as identity theft, document forgery and membership of a criminal organisation. The investigating section of Torrevieja’s Tribunal de Instancia ordered their release pending proceedings. The account does not specify the dates of the arrests.
The Guardia Civil advises checking landlords’ identities and property ownership, keeping payment records and reporting suspicions. The report notes that some of those affected had limited financial resources.
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