Older people targeted by scammers: eight incidents and losses exceeding €19,000
The Guardia Civil has arrested two men suspected of a series of thefts at ATMs. The investigation includes the municipalities of Torrevieja and Orihuela.
A routine ATM withdrawal could leave older people with money missing from their bank accounts. The Guardia Civil has arrested two men, aged 31 and 37, in El Campello. They are suspected of a series of offences targeting older people.
According to law enforcement authorities, the alleged offenders operated between February and October 2026. Investigators link them to eight incidents in seven Spanish municipalities. The estimated financial losses exceed €19,000.
How the scheme worked
The Guardia Civil refers to this method as scalping. The suspects approached older people withdrawing cash from ATMs and attempted to observe the PIN they entered.
They would then distract the victims by starting a conversation and try to take their bank card or savings passbook, sometimes together with the cash they had just withdrawn. Having obtained the card and learned the PIN, the suspects could make further withdrawals from the account.
One incident took place while police officers were conducting surveillance. Guardia Civil officers noticed two men approaching an elderly couple who were withdrawing money from an ATM. Their behaviour raised suspicions, and a patrol was called to the scene.
When the men were arrested, officers found €1,000 that they had allegedly just stolen from the couple, a further €3,400 in cash and a bank passbook belonging to another victim.
Where the investigation took place
The investigation covers seven municipalities across four provinces:
Alicante: Torrevieja, Orihuela, San Juan and El Campello.
Castellón: Benicàssim.
Valencia: Tavernes de la Valldigna.
Cádiz: San Roque.
The Guardia Civil has not yet disclosed how many incidents took place specifically in Torrevieja and Orihuela, or the financial losses suffered by residents in each municipality.
Both suspects were brought before the judicial authorities and subsequently released subject to precautionary measures. Their guilt has not yet been established by a court.
How widespread is this problem in Spain?
Similar crimes have previously been reported in different parts of the country. In June 2026, the Guardia Civil announced that it had solved 13 offences involving ATMs in the Valencian Community and neighbouring provinces. In August, police reported another investigation involving 14 incidents and estimated losses of around €60,000.
However, there is no separate nationwide statistic for crimes committed using the scalping method in 2026. It is therefore not yet possible to establish the true scale of the problem across Spain. The police operations mentioned above are separate investigations, not a national total.
How to protect your money
When withdrawing cash, cover the keypad with your hand while entering your PIN and do not allow strangers to stand close to you during the transaction. Never hand your bank card to someone you do not know or accept unexpected assistance from strangers.
If the ATM behaves unusually or someone nearby acts suspiciously, it is safer to cancel the transaction and contact your bank directly. If your card goes missing, block it immediately and check your account transactions.
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