Spanish Authorities Disrupt Identity Theft Network in Galicia
Operation 'SAFAT' leads to arrests and investigations into a criminal group responsible for extensive fraud.
The Guardia Civil has dismantled a criminal network in a recent operation named 'SAFAT', resulting in the arrest of two individuals and the investigation of three more for involvement in crimes including fraud, identity theft, forgery, and money laundering.
This group primarily operated in Galicia and the Basque Country, affecting over 60 victims and causing financial losses exceeding 350,000 euros.
The criminals obtained personal documentation through fraudulent job offers specifically targeting young individuals, friends, and family members.
With the acquired documents, they opened fraudulent bank accounts, applied for credit cards, and arranged personal loans that in some cases reached up to 29,000 euros per victim.
The investigation commenced in 2022 after a resident in TEO reported a bank account opened fraudulently in her name.
This led to the uncovering of a complex network where illegally obtained funds were transferred to other fictitious accounts and subsequently used for the personal expenses of the criminals.
In a search conducted at the residence of the arrested individuals in Laracha, significant amounts of forged documentation and several SIM cards, integral for executing the crimes without raising suspicion, were seized.
Although the majority of the victims are reported to reside in Santiago de Compostela and the Bergantiños area, additional cases have also been identified in Pontevedra and the Basque Country, indicating the extensive reach and sophistication of the fraud.
The operation, overseen by the Investigative Court No. 2 of Santiago de Compostela, remains ongoing as authorities continue to probe for additional victims and potential connections to the criminal network.
This group primarily operated in Galicia and the Basque Country, affecting over 60 victims and causing financial losses exceeding 350,000 euros.
The criminals obtained personal documentation through fraudulent job offers specifically targeting young individuals, friends, and family members.
With the acquired documents, they opened fraudulent bank accounts, applied for credit cards, and arranged personal loans that in some cases reached up to 29,000 euros per victim.
The investigation commenced in 2022 after a resident in TEO reported a bank account opened fraudulently in her name.
This led to the uncovering of a complex network where illegally obtained funds were transferred to other fictitious accounts and subsequently used for the personal expenses of the criminals.
In a search conducted at the residence of the arrested individuals in Laracha, significant amounts of forged documentation and several SIM cards, integral for executing the crimes without raising suspicion, were seized.
Although the majority of the victims are reported to reside in Santiago de Compostela and the Bergantiños area, additional cases have also been identified in Pontevedra and the Basque Country, indicating the extensive reach and sophistication of the fraud.
The operation, overseen by the Investigative Court No. 2 of Santiago de Compostela, remains ongoing as authorities continue to probe for additional victims and potential connections to the criminal network.
Translation:
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