Das irische Trio, das sich als Touristen für den Betrug "Sob-story" ausgab, wird von der spanischen Polizei gesucht

Spanish police are seeking three Irish nationals suspected of carrying out a “sob-story” scam in Barcelona, where they allegedly stole thousands of euros by posing as tourists in distress. The men, aged between 19 and 35, reportedly approached passersby in the city, claiming they were unable to return home due to difficulties withdrawing cash. They would then ask for money, promising to repay it immediately via bank transfer. According to the police, the perpetrators showed receipts on their mobile phones for transfers that were never intended to go through. Two of the suspects have been arrested. One, identified as Martin Joseph S, aged 31, was apprehended in May, while another, aged 19, was detained more recently. Both men, according to police reports, were responsible for deceiving at least eight individuals. They were released pending further legal proceedings. The third suspect remains at large, with authorities believing he may have targeted up to 15 victims during the scheme. The second arrested individual operated primarily near Sants railway station and in the central Eixample district of Barcelona. He is estimated to have defrauded victims of approximately €13,000. Upon his arrest, his passport was seized, and police monitored him closely, suspecting he might try to flee the country after his release. During surveillance, officers noticed the suspect driving an Audi with a UK registration plate. As the vehicle neared the French border, it developed a flat tire, prompting the man to abandon the car and escape on foot. Authorities believe all three suspects may have already left Spain. Some of the victims captured photographs of the suspects, and several of these images have appeared in Spanish media. Police are currently examining whether the men may be connected. In addition, the Catalan police have issued a public warning on social media regarding “false transfer” scams, describing them as a novel method of deception. A video posted by the police urges citizens not to believe in fabricated emergencies and to avoid sharing personal information or money with strangers. The scam involves the use of fake receipts to mislead victims into sending funds, often under the pretense of urgent financial need. This tactic has become increasingly common, with law enforcement agencies around the world reporting similar incidents. In this case, the police emphasized that the suspects exploited the trust of unsuspecting locals by presenting themselves as vulnerable tourists in need of assistance. Authorities are still working to locate the remaining suspect, who is believed to have fled the country. The investigation continues as police review evidence collected from both the arrested individuals and the victims. With the help of the public, including those who have shared photos of the suspects, the police hope to identify and apprehend the remaining member of the group. The incident highlights the growing challenge of combating sophisticated fraud schemes that rely on emotional manipulation and technological deception.