Catalan police have arrested 39 members of a criminal gang that defrauded more than 700 people of a combined sum of approximately one million euros. According to investigators, the number of victims may even increase due to the fact that many of them did not even know about their inclusion in the list of debtors after committing an act of fraud.
It is noted that the attackers immediately stole or at least photographed the documents of their victims on the Costa Dorada. Subsequently, loans were issued in their names and luxury goods were purchased, which were then intended for resale in Tarragona and Reus.
This investigation was launched last year against the background of a significant increase in cases of identity theft in the resort areas of the Costa Dorada. It turned out that this organized criminal gang had a clear structure and distribution of responsibilities among its members.
Thus, scammers gained access to personal data of third parties by stealing or photographing their DNI. This was mainly done in the entertainment centers of Tarragona and Reus. If the bank approved the loan, the scammers searched for additional information about the victims (for example, their place of work and salary) on the social service's website. After that, they forged payslips and bank statements.
Finally, the attackers were given loans in the amount of three to five thousand euros. They spent this money on buying expensive phones and various luxury items. In some cases, an employee of a large telephone company helped the group to obtain loans more quickly, ensuring that documents were quickly approved. Currently, all members of the gang have been arrested and are under investigation.
It is noted that the attackers immediately stole or at least photographed the documents of their victims on the Costa Dorada. Subsequently, loans were issued in their names and luxury goods were purchased, which were then intended for resale in Tarragona and Reus.
This investigation was launched last year against the background of a significant increase in cases of identity theft in the resort areas of the Costa Dorada. It turned out that this organized criminal gang had a clear structure and distribution of responsibilities among its members.
Thus, scammers gained access to personal data of third parties by stealing or photographing their DNI. This was mainly done in the entertainment centers of Tarragona and Reus. If the bank approved the loan, the scammers searched for additional information about the victims (for example, their place of work and salary) on the social service's website. After that, they forged payslips and bank statements.
Finally, the attackers were given loans in the amount of three to five thousand euros. They spent this money on buying expensive phones and various luxury items. In some cases, an employee of a large telephone company helped the group to obtain loans more quickly, ensuring that documents were quickly approved. Currently, all members of the gang have been arrested and are under investigation.
