Million-euro fraud with Marbella villa uncovered: three arrests in Vienna and Spain
An Austrian property developer set a trap for fraudsters – investigators secured 2.1 million euros in counterfeit currency.
Rip-deal involving Marbella luxury villa ends with three arrests
A fraudulent property purchase in Spanish Marbella has been exposed as a professional scam. According to krone.at, the Austrian seller became suspicious in time and triggered a coordinated police operation that took place simultaneously in Vienna and Spain.
In early August, an Austrian property developer put his luxury villa in Marbella up for sale. Shortly afterwards, alleged investors from a Swiss property consortium got in touch. After several meetings, the parties agreed on a cash payment of 1.8 million euros. At the same time, the seller's son in Vienna was to hand over a brokerage commission of 300,000 euros in gold coins.
However, the developer became suspicious and contacted Vienna police. Together with Spanish investigators, a sting operation was subsequently prepared. On 6 October, officers struck simultaneously in Vienna and Marbella.
Three suspects aged 27, 30 and 53 were arrested. Investigators also secured forged euro banknotes worth approximately 2.1 million euros.
According to police, the three men are known to have extensive records across Europe: together they have 30 prior convictions in at least five European countries. Europol, the Austrian federal criminal police office and the Spanish Policía Nacional were involved in the operation. Police described the operation as Austria's largest success to date in the field of rip-deal crime.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)