The Civil Guard has developed in San Javier (Murcia) the operation ‘Entremar’, an investigation aimed at clarifying a series of scams in rental of holiday homes in the Mar Menor that has resulted in the identification, location and arrest of the alleged perpetrator, sources of the Benemérita reported in a statement.
During the operation, the Prevention of Public Safety troops have clarified a dozen crimes of fraud, although the operation remains open as it is not ruled out the existence of more victims.
The actions began last summer, when the Guardia Civil received several complaints about scams related to the rental of holiday homes in the Mar Menor area and opened the operation to clarify the facts reported.
The criminal activity began with the publication, both through web portals and social networks, of offers to rent holiday flats in the Mar Menor area for use during the summer season. These were false offers whose advertisements contained striking photographs of real homes that made the advertisements attractive and also, as a hook, the price was lower than the market price, both for the characteristics of the flat and its location.
Prospective tenants contacted the advertiser and, after agreeing the deal, made a reservation deposit of around 500 euros. The attention of the scammer was exquisite, and he even offered payment facilities in instalments.
With the holidays already planned, the tenants tried to meet with the offerer of the properties for the handing over of the keys and prior information, with the aim of occupying the flat, in some cases on the first day of the holiday and with the whole family travelling to the place, but the alleged scammer did not show up.
The first steps of the operation were carried out technologically. The civil guards tracked the scammer’s Internet footprint, as well as other investigations, and it was found that he was using a large number of mobile phone lines, bank accounts and various web portals.
As a result of the investigation, the Armed Forces identified the alleged multiple fraudster, who also had four court orders in force from various courts in the region ordering his search, arrest and appearance for similar offences.
So far, the arrestee is alleged to have committed a crime against the administration of justice and a dozen offences of fraud, whose victims live in the Murcian municipalities of San Javier, Cartagena, Fuente Álamo and Murcia, as well as in Madrid and Cuenca.
The detainee, together with the proceedings, has been handed over to the competent judicial authorities.