Overview

• Three suspects aged 19 to 28 were detained in Valencia for allegedly defrauding a mother and her son of nearly €20,000 by impersonating their daughter via SMS and WhatsApp.
• Investigators traced five bank transfers requested under the pretext of an urgent family emergency to accounts held by the arrested individuals.
• The probe originated from a complaint filed in Móstoles and involved months of financial monitoring and identification of third-party accounts used as mule accounts.
• Police reports indicate one suspect has prior criminal records and another is in irregular immigration status in Spain.
• The operation follows June and July sweeps that resulted in more than 90 arrests nationwide in a sustained campaign against smishing and vishing fraud.