Old people’s home owners in Spain ‘scammed €3 million’ out of residents via inheritance fraud

POLICE have arrested the owners of two old people’s homes in Burgos, Spain, for a €3 million inheritance scam. 

National Police, who launched an investigation with the Tax Agency, say that the two arrested people used deceit to inherit the assets of their residents when they passed away. 

Taking advantage of the physical and mental deterioration of the elderly people they cared for, they managed to appropriate all of their assets. In addition, they named their victims as administrators of companies they had formed as part of a complex business network with the main purpose of seizing the inheritance of their patients. 

At the time of their arrest, the people under investigation had 30 properties in their name – homes, warehouses and various rustic estates located in the province of Burgos and in other areas of Spain – acquired fraudulently from their deceased patients. 

The two people have been arrested as alleged perpetrators of the crimes of fraud, misappropriation, false documentation, crime against moral integrity and money laundering.  

The investigation began earlier this year when agents learned that a number of people might be cheating a multitude of elderly but wealthy people. 

Investigators found that the arrested not only appropriated properties, but also all kinds of family effects such as jewellery, works of art, furniture and even photographs. 

Later in the investigation, the agents found that the detainees had also used the elderly to mask therir illegal activities my naming them as administrators of various companies supposedly dedicated to running old people’s homes. In reality, however, the purpose of these companies was misappropriation and money laundering. 

The total value of the assets received, which the researchers have analysed so far, amounts to € 3 million. Police do not rule out uncovering more assets hidden behind other fraudulent companies. 

Four searches have been carried out in the two residences investigated, an industrial warehouse and the home of the detainees. A large amount of documentary material, computer devices, mobile phones, €6,300 in cash, antiques and works of art have been found. Three vehicles have also been located and seized, one of them high-end with a retail value of over €130,000 and another with the necessary modifications for sports races. 

Thanks to the investigation, a flat that the detainees had fraudulently used as an old people’s home, without fulfilling the legal requirements, was also found. 

Investigators have also seized 900 winning tickets and lottery shares worth €20,000 which are thought to be related to money laundering. 

The investigation continues with the aim of locating the total inherited wealth through deceit that could be under different ownerships from those of the individuals arrested and determine the possible existence of other victims other than those already identified.