Overview
- The operation, dubbed Magna-Vallis, led to 19 arrests — 18 in Bizkaia and one in Burgos — with a judicial probe led by Bilbao’s Investigating Court No. 3 still active.
- Authorities have identified 121 fraud victims and 10 additional victims of identity usurpation across numerous Spanish provinces.
- Three members of a family clan allegedly controlled and isolated an octogenarian, forced him to beg, and used his identity to channel illicit funds; the man has been freed.
- Investigators froze 57 bank accounts and 23 phone lines linked to the network, which used false pet listings, progressive charges, Bizum or transfers, and smurfing to obscure flows.
- Direct scam receipts are estimated above €36,000, with more than €55,000 traced to cryptocurrency holdings and over €560,000 in improperly obtained social benefits.