Barcelona, Catalonia, Mossos d'Esquadra have arrested two men, aged 19 and 25, accused of defrauding victims of about €14,600 using stolen mobile phones and bank cards.
According to police, the suspects obtained stolen phones from a group of regular thieves and gave them a share of the profits. They face charges of receiving stolen goods and three counts of fraud. For more Catalonia-wide police coverage, see our news page.
The alleged fraud involved logging into victims' online banking accounts with the stolen devices and cards. Police say the men made transfers and payments through Bizum, activated new virtual cards, requested instant loans and carried out online purchases.
Investigators also say the pair used intermediaries, known as mules, to make withdrawals and transfers. The 25-year-old man was first arrested in February and was linked to the creation and activation of bank accounts that received the stolen money. Mossos said he worked with the main suspect and managed the mules.
On 14 May, officers from the Sant Martí district police station carried out an operation to arrest one of the main people involved. That led to searches at homes in Sant Fost de Campsentelles and Martorell, where police seized laptop computers, around 30 mobile phones, bank cards, SIM cards, high-end watches and cash.
Police said the main suspect has five previous arrests for similar offences. Both men appeared before a judge on 16 May. The investigation is still open and Mossos d'Esquadra have not ruled out more arrests.
