100+ Arrested in Spain for WhatsApp 'Son in Trouble' Fraud: €1M Stolen

Over 100 individuals were arrested in Spain for participating in a WhatsApp scam where they posed as distressed relatives to steal thousands of euros from victims.

The group allegedly received close to a million euros collectively.

Arrests occurred between February and April, and those apprehended have been charged with fraud, money laundering, and being part of a criminal organization.

Transferred funds ranged from €800 to €55,000.

At least 238 victims were identified in the Spanish province of Alicante after being scammed out of money using a method where fraudsters pose as relatives in need.

Arrests were made in several Spanish cities, and this scam follows the apprehension of a criminal gang in January that had scammed over 460,000 euros from victims using the same method.

In this scam, fraudsters pretend to be a relative using a new number, claim an emergency, and ask for money after supposedly losing or damaging their phone and being locked out of their bank account.

A scammer gains access to someone's WhatsApp account by tricking them into giving the two-factor authentication code.

The scammer may pose as a known contact and claim they accidentally sent the request for the code.

Once they have access, they contact the person's relatives and friends asking for money.

This scam has affected UK residents, with Nottinghamshire Police reporting a increase in such incidents.