£340k Fraud Attempt Thwarted
Agents from the Mossos d'Esquadra's Investigation Unit in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi have detained a 33-year-old man suspected of robbery with violence and intimidation. The incident relates to a fraudulent luxury watch and diamond gold chain sale valued at over $418,000 (approximately £340,000), conducted via cryptocurrency. The transaction took place on the afternoon of 14 September in Barcelona’s Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district. Two victims, who had travelled from the UK after arranging the purchase through social media, verified the authenticity of several luxury watches at a specialist retailer before completing the cryptocurrency payment at a nearby establishment. According to the investigation, once the payment was made, the suspects falsely claimed not to have received it and fled with the watches and chain. The victims pursued them through local streets, at which point one suspect brandished a knife to escape.
Swift Police Response Prevents Larger Loss
A citizen alerted emergency services by calling 112, prompting an immediate response from a Citizen Security patrol. Officers located and detained one suspect near Plaça Joaquim Folguera, recovering two luxury watches during the arrest. Working with experts from the Division of Criminal Investigation (DIC), investigators successfully blocked the cryptocurrency transfer, limiting the suspects’ gain to just $1,000. At least one of the recovered watches is believed to be genuine, while authorities continue to verify the origin of the seized items. The case follows the pattern of a 'RIP Deal' scam, where fraudsters pose as high-net-worth buyers to lure sellers of valuable goods such as jewellery or watches, then deceive them during the transaction.
The Mossos d'Esquadra maintain the investigation is ongoing and do not rule out further arrests.
Residents and traders are reminded to exercise caution when conducting high-value private sales, especially those involving digital payments. The Mossos recommend verifying identities, using secure transaction environments, and avoiding isolated meetings.
Primary sources: govern.cat, Mossos d'Esquadra News, Dep. Interior Generalitat Catalunya, mossos.gencat.cat, Departament d'Interior, dsp.interior.gencat.cat. Reported by modernetdigital.cat, larazon.es, CatalunyaPress.cat, metropoliabierta.cat, ara.cat, El Periódico, euroweeklynews.com, La Vanguardia, Metrópoli, metropoliabierta.elespanol.com.
