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Date Published: 17/02/2025

Swindlers arrested following tourist rental scam in Puerto de Mazarrón

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The scheme is thought to have cost holidaymakers an estimated €5,000, though there may be other victims unaccounted for

Swindlers arrested following tourist rental scam in Puerto de Mazarrón

The Guardia Civil of the Region of Murcia has dismantled a criminal group specialising in holiday rental scams in Puerto de Mazarrón.

The police operation, codenamed ‘Vacadas’, has so far led to the investigation of five individuals suspected of fraud, false documentation, usurpation of civil status and belonging to a criminal organisation.

At least a dozen cases have been confirmed, but authorities believe there may be more victims.

The investigation began in the summer of 2024 when a resident of Murcia reported falling victim to a holiday rental scam. The victim had paid to reserve a holiday flat in Puerto de Mazarrón but subsequently lost contact with the supposed landlord.

Eventually, it was discovered that the flat was not actually available for rent and that the money had been transferred to an unknown recipient.

As the investigation progressed, more victims came forward with similar complaints. The fraudulent scheme involved offering holiday flats in well-known urbanisations within Puerto de Mazarrón.

The suspects used their knowledge of the area to create convincing advertisements, complete with photographs, some of which were fraudulently taken from legitimate real estate websites.

The victims, who were primarily from the Region of Murcia and the Community of Madrid, collectively lost around €5,000 through bank transfers. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional victims both within the Region of Murcia and beyond.

With enough evidence in hand, the Guardia Civil identified and tracked down the five suspects. They have now been charged with multiple offences and remain under investigation. Authorities are continuing their inquiries to determine whether more people were affected by the scam.

Advice on how to avoid falling victim to rental scams

The Guardia Civil has issued a warning to the public, advising caution when booking holiday rentals online. To avoid falling prey to similar scams, they recommend the following precautions:

Verify the authenticity of advertisements on digital platforms
Be wary of advertisers who try to move the conversation away from the official platform
Be suspicious of rental prices that seem significantly lower than the market rate
Avoid rushing into transactions, as scammers often pressure victims into quick decisions

By staying vigilant and following these recommendations, holidaymakers can better protect themselves from fraudulent rental schemes. Meanwhile, authorities continue their efforts to crack down on similar scams in the region.

Image: Guardia Civil

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