The Civil Guard has dismantled a criminal organization that defrauded at least 2,000 people through fraudulent SMS messages and websites. Thirteen people have been arrested and five investigated in Madrid, Palma, Valencia, and Toledo.
The Civil Guard has dismantled a criminal organization operating in Mallorca and other Spanish provinces through banking scams via SMS and fraudulent websites. The operation, named 'Fragmenta', has resulted in 13 arrests and five investigations in Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, and Toledo, accused of fraud, money laundering, and belonging to a criminal organization.
Agents have seized a database containing personal and banking information of approximately 500,000 citizens, suggesting that the number of victims, which already exceeds 2,000, could increase significantly. The investigation began in 2024 following a complaint from a victim who lost nearly 30,000 euros after receiving a false banking communication.
The scammers sent mass SMS messages that appeared to come from banking entities, leading victims to access fraudulent websites where they entered their online banking credentials. Subsequently, they contacted the deceived victims by phone, posing as bank employees to obtain the necessary verification codes and complete the transactions.
Once they gained control of the accounts, they transferred the available money and requested pre-approved loans or other financial products in the victims' names, significantly increasing the economic damage. To hinder their tracking, they distributed the funds through numerous bank accounts spread across various locations.
The complexity of the investigation was marked by the use of false identities, accounts opened through third parties, immediate transfers between different entities, and a technological infrastructure distributed across several countries, necessitating extensive financial intelligence work and technological analysis.
During the final phase of the operation, three searches were conducted, two in the province of Valencia and one in Madrid, where mobile phones, computer equipment, electronic devices, documentation, and cash related to the criminal activity were seized. The investigation remains open, and it is not ruled out that more victims may emerge.
The 18 members of the organization —10 men and eight women, aged between 23 and 43— have been identified, and the role of each individual within the group has been determined. The exploitation phase of the operation allowed for the dismantling of the organization and the judicial processing of its main members.
The Civil Guard reminds that banking entities never request access keys, passwords, or verification codes from their clients via phone, SMS, or email. In case of any suspicious communication, it is recommended not to provide personal or banking data, always access online banking through official channels, and directly contact the entity to verify the authenticity of the message or call.
They also advise periodically reviewing account movements and immediately reporting any unauthorized transactions. The investigation has been carried out by the Cybercrime Team (EDITE) and the @ Team of the Civil Guard Command in Castellón.
For the residents of Mallorca, this operation serves as a warning about the importance of being cautious regarding suspicious banking messages. The Civil Guard recommends always contacting the entity through its official channels in case of doubt.
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