Spanish National Police Dismantle Notorious ‘Rip Deal’ Scam Gang
In a significant breakthrough, the National Police in Spain have successfully dismantled a mobile criminal group that was notorious for executing ‘rip deal’ scams. This fraudulent scheme involves duping victims into believing they are part of a legitimate transaction, only to swindle them out of their money or valuable assets. The suspects, apprehended during multiple police operations, have defrauded victims of up to 348,000 euros across various Spanish cities including Marbella, Madrid, and Alicante throughout 2024.
The ‘Rip Deal’ Modus Operandi
The ‘rip deal’ scam involves contacting individuals who have property or valuables for sale. The criminals meet the potential victims, gain their trust, and arrange a transaction where they exchange counterfeit banknotes for real ones. This strategy was employed by the suspects across Europe, showcasing their high degree of mobility and specialization.
First Crime Solved Through Fingerprint Identification
The first crime linked to this group was solved in January 2024. The suspects had managed to gain the trust of their victims through numerous phone calls and meetings in Barcelona and Madrid. Using psychological manipulation, they swindled the victims out of 160,000 euros. A fingerprint left on a glass during one of the meetings led to the identification of one of the suspects, who was later arrested at Barcelona Airport. His accomplice, however, remains at large.
Violent Crime in Alicante Leads to More Arrests
In June 2024, a similar crime in Alicante resulted in the victim losing 38,000 euros. This time, the victim realized the scam, leading the criminals to resort to violence, stealing their jewellery and dragging them along in a vehicle. Thanks to the victim’s screenshots of the conversation and other evidence, the police were able to arrest the three people involved in the case. A subsequent search at a house in Tarragona led to the seizure of several watches, jewellery, and mobile devices.
Sting Operation in Marbella Leads to More Arrests
The next ‘rip deal’ incident occurred in Marbella in July 2024. The victims, who had a rural property for sale, were contacted by the criminals using various Italian phone numbers. A meeting was arranged at a luxury restaurant in Marbella, where the criminals proposed a cash transaction involving hundreds of thousands of euros. As in previous cases, the victim was given counterfeit banknotes. Following a complaint, the police set up a sting operation near the restaurant, leading to the identification and arrest of the suspects with the assistance of Europol.
