National Police agents attached to the Investigation Brigade of the Bank of Spain, in collaboration with Mossos d’Esquadra attached to the Central Counterfeit Currency Unit, have dismantled a criminal group made up of four women between the ages of 18 and 41, by the circulation of a large number of counterfeit 200-euro and 500-euro banknotes that presented common counterfeit elements was detected since September 2022. The investigators estimate that more than 100,000 euros have been introduced into the financial circuit since the investigation began.
After analyzing the complaints that presented a similar modus operandi, the investigators were able to determine that those investigated entered commercial establishments dressed in tunics and veils (hijabs) and simulated an Arabic accent. They used the legitimate bills of 200 or 500 euros to purchase any product. Once the workers verified the authenticity of the bills, the investigated women requested that the bill be returned to them, alluding to the fact that they had the exact amount, or they recovered it, alleging that they felt harassed and victims of racist treatment.
The disturbance that they created inside the establishment and the verbal violence used intimidated the workers of the establishment and created enough distraction to effectively complete the crime. The authors quickly exchanged the legitimate bill for a counterfeit bill that was no longer verified by the manager of the establishment, since he considered that it was the same bill that he had already verified. Immediately, the authors left the store uttering insults and outbursts.
The investigators managed to identify the distributors of the counterfeits and realized that they were members of the same gypsy family clan, who had already been arrested in previous police operations and had been convicted of similar acts. The counterfeit banknotes were made in the homes of those investigated and were made by hand and in few remittances, a fact that made it extremely difficult to investigate and locate the point of production.
Finally, the police operation concluded with an entry and search in Móstoles (Madrid) where two members of the family clan were arrested, plus another detainee in Puertollano. The fourth arrest was made in Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz) by the group of fugitives from the National Police.
The investigation has been directed by the Central Court of Instruction No. 6 of the National Court and the detainees went to court on June 1. One of the detainees entered prison, while the other three were released with charges.
Members of the Investigation Brigade of the Bank of Spain (BIBE) attached to the UDEF of the General Commissariat of the Judicial Police, as well as the Judicial Police Brigades of Barcelona and Puertollano and, on behalf of the National Police, participated in the investigation. by the Mossos d’Esquadra, the Central Counterfeit Currency Unit of the Criminal Investigation Division.
The researchers recommend that, in order to detect this counterfeiting, merchants and citizens check the security measures of euro banknotes using the “Touch, Look, Turn” method, recommended by the Bank of Spain.
