Mossos d’Esquadra have arrested four members of the same family, including one minor, for alleged bank fraud and data theft in Barcelona.

The arrests follow an investigation into a scheme where stolen mobile phones were used to access confidential victim data and withdraw money from cash machines.

Family Arrested in Major Fraud Operation

Three of the four arrests occurred last Thursday after a police raid on a home in the Ciutat Vella district.

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Consequently, officers seized evidence and made the initial detentions. The fourth family member was arrested this Monday on an existing warrant. This operation forms part of the Mossos’ broader Pla Kanpai strategy to combat repeat offenders, with a specific focus on theft and robbery.

The family allegedly purchased stolen phones on the illicit market. Furthermore, they used them to access sensitive personal information. This data was then used to commit fraud at ATMs across the city. Police recovered around thirty mobile terminals during the operation. Ten of these were confirmed as stolen during violent robberies, and four have already been returned to their owners.

Stolen Phones and SIM Cards Used in Fraud

Authorities are checking the provenance of the remaining 21 high-end devices. They aim to return them to their rightful owners if they were also stolen. Additionally, during the home search, police intervened eleven SIM cards of allegedly illicit origin. These were reportedly used to unlock the stolen terminals.

Officers also seized €7,290 in cash, a laptop, and equipment used to commit the ATM fraud. The investigation remains open, and more arrests have not been ruled out. This case highlights the ongoing challenge of organised crime in the city, a topic also explored in our coverage of urban security and infrastructure.

According to the original report from Tot Barcelona, the Mossos continue to target multi-recidivist criminal activity through coordinated operations like this one.

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