The Civil Guard of Sanxenxo (Pontevedra) is investigating three young people –aged 24, 25, and 31– residing in Alicante as alleged perpetrators of a continued crime of fraud and belonging to a criminal group for making payments in the municipality of 10,218 euros with cards obtained through the electronic fraud method called ‘smishing’.
This scam involves cybercriminals sending SMS or messages on messaging applications posing as legitimate entities (such as banks or courier companies) to deceive victims. The message usually includes a link that, when clicked, leads to a fake page that imitates the original, where the victim is asked to provide personal or financial information.
Operation TAKO-SAN25 began last September, the month in which two complaints were filed, one in Burela (Lugo) and the other in Icod de Los Vinos (Tenerife), for unauthorized charges made at different points in the municipality of Sanxenxo.
The criminal group used the data obtained from the victims’ bank cards to associate them with mobile devices that they used exclusively to make payments. Subsequently, they frequented sports betting venues, as in these establishments they could make card payments and withdraw cash, making it more difficult to trace.
The three young people had previous records for similar offenses. Between April and May of this year, the three individuals were investigated between the Dolores and Almoradi posts in Alicante.
It was also noted that they had «a lifestyle well above their means», with «a luxurious lifestyle reflected in trips to destinations such as Thailand or the United Arab Emirates, coupled with numerous previous records for similar offenses.»
The Civil Guard advises the public not to click on suspicious links, not to provide personal or banking information through these channels, and always verify the authenticity of the sender.