British expat linked to council accused of conning €86,000 out of vulnerable pensioner in Costa Blanca

Matthew Joseph Smith used to serve as personal representative for the mayor of Rojales before his arrest over allegations of defrauding an elderly British resident. Authorities detained Smith and his partner in March for an alleged scam that drained €86,000 from the victim’s accounts.

Former mayor’s delegate held over trust-based fraud

Smith acted as the mayor’s representative for urbanisations, including Ciudad Quesada, popular with expat retirees. This role involved assisting elderly expats with administrative tasks and local bureaucracy. Mayor Antonio Pérez appointed him shortly after the 2023 local elections but removed him after just four months in January 2024 following concerns raised by residents.

Continued council involvement despite removal

Smith kept supporting the town hall with translation duties and attending meetings with residents in Ciudad Quesada. He also shared official announcements on social media until his detention. The local council confirms no further ties exist with him pending the court outcome.

Candidate on PSOE election list

Smith appeared as councillor number 11 on the PSOE slate for the May 2023 local elections. His manifesto focused on improving internal council communication, staff productivity rules, timely hiring processes, heritage protection campaigns, better road signage, creation of a traffic park and increased CCTV coverage.

Opposition party demands answers in the upcoming council meeting

Opposition councillors from the opposition party Partido Popular plan to seek explanations from the PSOE-led administration during the next full council session.

Guardia Civil uncovers systematic account draining

Investigators began work early this year after a relative discovered the victim’s bank accounts emptied following his death. Evidence showed the couple, long-term residents in Rojales who ran an advisory service for foreigners, built a relationship of trust with the vulnerable, unwell pensioner who lacked family support in Spain.

Transactions continued during hospital stays and after death

Between 2019 and 2022, the pair allegedly made repeated transfers to their own accounts, shop payments and cash withdrawals. Several operations occurred while the victim lay in hospital or after he had passed away. Smith reportedly had previous offences of a similar nature.

Court releases couple under caution

Guardia Civil officers arrested the 42-year-old Smith and his 41-year-old partner before presenting them at Torrevieja court, which granted conditional release. The investigation remains active as officers trace the full movement of funds through banking records.