Officers from the National Police, in conjunction with the Tax Surveillance Unit of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, have dismantled a criminal syndicate believed to have embezzled a total of 8,395,241 euros, impacting over 3,221 individuals across 17 separate trading establishments in Arona and Adeje (Tenerife), capitalising on the high tourist influx.
The investigation has revealed that all illegal activities were conducted in Tenerife through physical locations, with the organisation not engaging in online operations, according to the police force.
These enterprises, which masqueraded as “legitimate businesses,” were used as a facade to perpetrate fraud via the application of unapproved datáphones and transactions to bank cards.
Furthermore, investigators have confirmed that the leader of one of these operations with the highest volume of fraudulent activity is currently at large, with an international arrest warrant sought.
Various members of the criminal network lured tourists to the bazaars, where they acquired personal information through purchases, subsequently executing fraudulent transactions using datáphones and sophisticated technology.
Following this, they ensured that tourists departed the country before they became aware of the fraud, and fabricated false invoices to defend against any claims regarding the illicit charges.
Authorities are continuing to examine the seized devices and trace the whereabouts of the misappropriated funds. As such, the National Police and Customs Surveillance are advancing the investigation and collaborating with Europol and consulates from various affected nations to identify the victims.
The National Police are urging any tourist who believes they have fallen victim to this network to file a report, to assist in the recovery of defrauded money and to bolster legal actions against those accountable.
