The Civil Guard, as part of the “Mamol TF Operation”, has apprehended and investigated 19 individuals residing in A Coruña, linked to an alleged criminal network that purportedly extorted over 300 victims through the scheme known as “Timo del Sicario”, which allowed them to defraud up to 500,000 euros.
The victims, who initially reported to the Civil Guard’s offices in Tenerife, were selected after accessing adult content websites and revealing personal information.
The inquiry commenced more than a year ago following the reports filed by the victims at the Civil Guard’s stations in Tenerife.
Based on these reports, the victims received severe threats via mobile messaging, accompanied by videos depicting physical violence against third parties, wherein the suspected extortionists displayed firearms and demanded monetary payments to prevent the victims from experiencing similar violence.
This method, referred to as Timo del Sicario, typically involves criminals posting fraudulent advertisements on websites that offer adult services. Once a victim engages their services, they begin receiving threats from an alleged hitman, insisting on payment of a specified amount.
Out of fear from the threats, victims occasionally comply with demands for payment, yet the scammers continue their intimidation tactics and request additional funds.
Through various digital tools and documents, investigators discovered that the extortionists had executed over 370 criminal activities using this ‘modus operandi’, defrauding 500,000 euros and transferring 180,000 euros to the Dominican Republic via different companies.
The relevant judicial authority has ordered the provisional detention of three of the individuals apprehended.
This operation was carried out by the Investigation of Computer and Technological Crimes (EDITA) from the Organic Judicial Police Units of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and A Coruña.
