Hydrocarbon fraud network dismantled in Murcia, six arrested
The Civil Guard and Tax Authority dismantle a criminal organisation that defrauded more than two million euros through irregular deposits and falsified documentation in fuel distribution.
Operation against fuel tax fraud
According to El Confidencial, six people have been arrested in a police operation that has dismantled a criminal organisation based in Murcia dedicated to fraud in hydrocarbon sales. The network, which operated across multiple provinces, is alleged to have defrauded more than two million euros through fuel distribution and sales outside fiscal control.
The Civil Guard (Judicial Police) in Alicante and the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Authority carried out the operation called Vatoil-Visco with support from units in Murcia. The deployment made it possible to immobilise 86,000 litres of fuel, close the pumps at three petrol stations and block more than 60 bank accounts.
Fraud mechanism
The group used a network of shell companies and falsified commercial documentation to simulate legitimacy in transactions and conceal the source of profits. During 2025 alone, two of the investigated companies failed to pay approximately 400,000 euros in value added tax (VAT) and more than 1,800,000 euros in special tax on hydrocarbons.
Searches and arrests
Between 1 and 2 October, police carried out six searches in Murcia province: one at an industrial warehouse and five at residential addresses. Five of the suspects were arrested simultaneously, whilst a sixth was located and arrested the following day. During the operations, five high-end vehicles, nearly 9,000 euros in cash and substantial documentation related to the criminal activity were seized.
The petrol stations that were closed were located in Villajoyosa (Alicante), Miguelturra (Ciudad Real) and Linares (Jaén). The sealed tanks contained a total of 86,000 litres of fuel.
Charges and legal status
The arrested individuals are attributed with crimes of membership in a criminal organisation, fraud against the Public Treasury, crimes against consumers, document falsification, fraud and money laundering. A further eight people are listed as under investigation. All those detained were brought before the Investigation Section of the Court of First Instance in Orihuela. One was remanded in custody following a prior judicial order; the remainder was released with precautionary measures.
Source: El Confidencial