Overview
- Authorities identified 121 victims nationwide, including four in Mallorca, with total fraud exceeding €36,000.
- Suspects allegedly posted fake adoption and sale listings, then demanded successive payments for vaccines, transport, microchips or cages via Bizum or bank transfers.
- The network allegedly laundered proceeds through smurfing micro‑payments, numerous accounts and phone lines, false or third‑party IDs, and cryptocurrency holdings valued at over €55,000.
- Eighteen detainees were picked up in Bizkaia and one in Burgos on suspected offenses including continued fraud, money laundering, identity usurpation, criminal group membership, human trafficking and abuse without injury.
- Investigators report the liberation of an isolated octogenarian allegedly forced to beg, estimate improperly obtained social benefits at more than €560,000, and keep the case open to find more victims and recover funds.