The Crown Court in Santa Cruz de Tenerife has sentenced a man for fraud after he deceived a woman seeking to rent a property in the south of the island. The defendant admitted the facts during the hearing held on Monday and accepted a sentence of one year in prison and a payment of 7,520 euros. However, he will not serve time in prison if he does not reoffend in the next two years.
The case, resolved through a plea agreement, highlights the risks of rental fraud, particularly in high-demand areas like the south of Tenerife.
The incident occurred in February 2025 when the victim, looking to rent, contacted the defendant. Pretending to be the manager of a supposed property rental company, he provided her with a WhatsApp contact, through which photographs of a non-existent flat were sent.
Believing the offer was genuine, the complainant sent the required documents and made an initial transfer of 2,400 euros, covering two months’ deposit and one month’s rent. When informed the transfer would take 48 hours, the defendant pressured her for an immediate payment, threatening to cancel the viewing. The victim, feeling urgent, asked her sister for help, who made a second payment of 2,400 euros to the same account.
With the visit arranged, the woman went to the agreed location only to discover that the address did not exist, and no one appeared on behalf of the alleged landlord. Attempts to contact the defendant were futile, confirming the fraud.
The total amount handed over reached 4,800 euros, which the defendant had no intention of returning. Consequently, the prosecution deemed this an aggravated fraud, initially demanding a three-year prison sentence and a 2,000-euro fine, along with full restitution of the stolen money.
In the end, a plea agreement was reached during the hearing at the Crown Court. The accused accepted the facts and agreed to a one-year prison sentence and the payment of 7,520 euros: 6,800 in civil liability (refund and damages) and 720 euros as a fine.
The prison sentence has been suspended, provided the convicted does not commit another offence within two years; otherwise, he must serve the imposed sentence.
This case serves as a warning about the rising risks of rental scams on digital platforms, especially in touristy and high-demand areas like Tenerife. Fraudsters exploit the urgent need of those seeking housing, posing as fake companies, using images sourced from the internet or created with AI, and demanding upfront payments without guarantees.
Judicial authorities and security forces always recommend:
– Verifying the identity of the landlord.
– Arranging in-person visits before making any payment.
– Avoiding transfers to personal accounts without a signed contract.
– Checking the actual existence of the advertised address.
The National Police and Civil Guard have specialised units in technological crimes and online fraud, which can be contacted for advice or investigation of such situations.
