The Terrassa National Police station has collaborated with the Cybercrime Group of the Provincial Brigade of the Judicial Police of Valencia in identifying those responsible for a network dedicated to telephone and message scams. The operation has resulted in 23 arrests in the provinces of Barcelona and Murcia.
The economic scope of the case contrasts with the material recovered in the final phase of the investigation. The network would have obtained more than 300,000 euros through smishing and vishing, while agents seized 2,200 euros, a tablet, a computer, a USB device, and four SIM cards.
The network used messages and calls to simulate bank alerts
The arrested individuals are 17 men and six women between 18 and 50 years old. The investigation attributes alleged crimes of belonging to a criminal group and money laundering to them.
The group employed two fraud methods. On the one hand, they resorted to smishing with text messages and, on the other, to vishing through telephone calls or voice messages to obtain money from victims.
Several detainees simulated working for financial institutions and presented themselves as employees of security departments. With that cover, they sought to gain the trust of their targets and persuade them to make transfers.
Two alleged leaders went to court after the 23 arrests
The police action was carried out with the participation of the Terrassa station and the specialized group from Valencia, which focused its investigations on identifying the members of the network and their role within the group's economic operations.
Among the seized items are 2,200 euros in cash and four SIM cards, in addition to a tablet, a computer, and a USB device, material that investigators link to the allegedly criminal activity.
The two leaders of the gang were brought before the judicial authorities, while the other 21 detainees were released with the obligation to appear whenever required by the judicial authority.