Officers have clarified up to 46 complaints across the national territory, with the total value defrauded amounting to 221,477 euros. The investigation, carried out by the Cybercrime group of the Provincial Judicial Police Brigade of Valencia, began in June 2025 following several complaints.

Police inquiries allowed for the identification and location of 42 of the alleged perpetrators, residents in the city of Valencia and its province. Thanks to the swift action of the investigators, several fraudulent transfers totaling 18,924 euros were blocked and subsequently reimbursed to the victims.

The modus operandi of this scam involves perpetrators contacting victims via instant messaging applications, impersonating their children. They request money under various pretexts, such as the urgent need to acquire a new mobile phone, and provide an account number for the deposit. If the victim makes the payment, the scammers continue the deception to obtain more money.

The bank accounts where the defrauded capital is received are in the name of individuals known as “mules,” who collaborate with criminal organizations. These “mules” are responsible for receiving the defrauded money and disposing of it according to the organization's instructions, thereby hindering tracking by investigators. They are recruited by being offered money for their collaboration, a percentage of the fraud, or even through false job offers.

During the investigation, eight individuals acting as “mule” recruiters were identified and arrested. The National Police emphasizes the importance of reporting any recruitment attempt to block accounts and return defrauded money to victims. Collaborating with the investigation without participating in the criminal act does not entail criminal responsibility, but making the first money transfer does constitute collaboration with the criminal structure.