WHAT A CON!: Holiday home scammer tricks tourists out of thousands in Spain

A SUSPECTED holiday home scammer is under arrest in Almeria.

Police said over the last year the woman conned some 50 people out of at least €10,000 in all through online adverts for fictitious holiday lets. She passed herself off as an estate agent, offering rentals in Retamar-El Toyo, the Zapillo neighbourhood of Almería city and Roquetas de Mar.

After speaking to her on the phone, victims paid the con artist a reservation or the full amount. But when the tourists pitched up at the apartments they discovered they were already occupied or didn’t actually exist.

To remain under the radar the fraudster had moved from place to place around the country. She frequently changed her mobile number. She also regularly changed her appearance, altering her hairstyle and colour and her way of dressing.

Investigations by police units specialised in Internet crime ultimately led to the identification and subsequent arrest of the 31-year old by Almeria police on charges of fraud and falsification of documents.

According to police there are more than eight outstanding legal claims against her in courts in Seville, Madrid, Jaen and Granada. She also has a criminal record for fraud.

The police investigation into the woman’s criminal activities remains open.