Woman Charged with Scamming 20 Victims in Santa Cruz de Tenerife Rental Scheme
A 57-year-old woman has been apprehended by the National Police in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, accused of deceiving nearly twenty individuals through fraudulent property rentals.
The total amount involved in the scam is estimated to be approximately 10,000 euros, which she acquired by requesting an initial monthly payment along with a deposit from her victims, with the payments varying between 900 and 1,100 euros, as reported by sources from the provincial police.
The investigation was initiated following a report from three students in Tenerife, and it ultimately linked to nine additional cases, affecting nearly twenty victims in total.
In each instance, the perpetrator drew the attention of her victims through property advertisements on a website, after which contact was made via telephone and the victims provided her with a fictitious identity.
Subsequently, she requested an initial monthly payment along with an additional one as a deposit, as well as the submission of personal documentation to facilitate the rental process.
The arrested woman either met the victims in person or asked for the funds via bank transfer, and once she received their payments, she ceased all forms of communication.
The investigation culminated in the identification and apprehension of this woman, who has since been presented to the judiciary as a suspected offender of a fraud related to housing rentals.
The National Police advises individuals to be wary of messages that may feature dubious links, offers that appear “too good to be true”, or dubious claims made by landlords. Whenever feasible, it is also recommended to visit the rental property in person.
Additionally, it is advised to conduct all communication and payments via secure platforms that incorporate protective systems, ensuring that transactions are documented.
