Arrest of a regular scammer
Recently, Mossos d’Esquadra agents have arrested a 30 -year -old man, accused of deceiving more than fifty people with housing problems. This person, with a criminal record that includes eight backgrounds for thefts and scams, would have managed to defraud almost 17,000 euros to his victims. His arrest took place on May 7, and was subsequently filed with the judge on the 11th.
The origin of the research
The investigation began from the complaint of a victim who had lost around 12,500 euros. After identifying the suspect, the agents arrested in a home located in the Eixample, where several relevant elements were confiscated for the case. To date, at least three victims have been identified, but researchers are working to locate up to fifty people who could have been affected by their fraudulent actions.
The modus operandi of l’Eshador
The defendant used ads on housing portals promoting flats that did not actually existed or which had no authorization to rent. In order to avoid showing the real estate in person, he went through a foreigner or claimed that he was outside for work reasons. Thus, he got the victims, in an emergency situation, to make anticipated payments such as bonds, monthly payments or management expenses without having ever seen the flat physically.
Exploiting the vulnerability of others
In order to complicate its traceability, the scammer avoided using bank accounts in his name, opting for third parties with few financial resources. These people, in exchange for financial compensation, allowed the scammer to use their accounts to receive transfers. With this technique, the investigator managed to hide his real identity.
Building a confidence network
The scammer often frequented bars and restaurants in the areas of Raval and Born, where he gained the confidence of vulnerable people. When he presented himself as a person with resources, he invited them to eat or drink, and then asked them to use their bank accounts to manage transfers, promising them an amount of money for their help. Once the money was transferred, they urged them to remove them in cash, thus eliminating any trace of the operations.
Reflections on safety in rent
This situation highlights the importance of caution in the real estate market, especially for those in vulnerable circumstances. Alert and research continue to ensure that other potential victims are identified and protected from similar scams. The community must be aware of the risks associated with housing search and take measures to verify the legitimacy of the offers before performing any transaction.
