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    • Online Scams & Fraud in Spain

    Global Scam Country Guide
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    April 27, 2023

    Cybercrimes have risen steadily in Spain with computer fraud now representing over 86% of the crimes. The government and stakeholders have been upping their counter-offensive strategies with the latest being an introduction of a hotline to report scams. 

    Throughout the year, people can call the support number 017 between 9 AM to 9 PM to report an online scam. What else is happening in Spain as far as scams are concerned? Join us as we discuss various topics including where you can report, how to check for scams, and the popular scams in Spain nowadays.

    Scam Statistics in Spain

    The key statistics on online fraud in Spain, according to the Global Anti Scam Alliance.

      2018 2019 2020 2021
    Population 46.66 million 47 million 47 Million  47  million
    Internet Penetration 88% 67% 91% 90%
    # of Scams  100,000 88760 42,610 257.907
    Scams / 1,000 2 1.89 0.9 5.54
    Money Lost   € 88 million € 42 million € 750 million
    Money Lost / Capita    €1.87 € 0,89 € 15,85
    Money Lost / Report   €991 € 991 € 2,908

    The figures in the table will differ strongly per year as various sources have been used, pending on availability.

    Download the Global State of Scam

    Where Can I Report a Scam in Spain?

    • Guardia Civil- The Guardia Civil is another law enforcement agency in Spain that deals with a wide range of crimes, including cybercrimes. They have a cybercrime division that investigates online scams and other digital crimes.
    • National Police (Policía Nacional)- The National Police in Spain is responsible for law enforcement at the national level. They have a specialized unit called the Cybercrime Unit (Brigada de Investigación Tecnológica) that deals with cybercrimes, including online scams. You can report online scams to them through their website or by visiting a police station.
    • CCN CERT- They receive complaints about cyber security threats in Spain as well as offer tips to both consumers and businesses.
    • Internet User Assistance Office (Oficina de Atención al Usuario de Internet)- This office, operated by the Internet Users Association (Asociación de Internautas), assists users in reporting online incidents, including scams.
    Report a Scam

    How to Report a Scam in Spain

    Reporting a scam is crucial. At the moment, only 7% of all scams are reported. As a result, only 0.05% of all cybercriminals are caught. Reporting online fraud is not only essential if you want to try and get your money back. It is also needed to help law enforcement fight scammers better.

    • Gather info: Collect all information about the suspected fraud including the name, telephone, key web pages, emails, IP address, and any other information relevant. This is needed to file a complete report.
    • Report the incident: Always report to your local law enforcement and note the file number they might provide for your fraud report for future reference.
    • Stop the Money: Report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money such as your bank, Paypal, credit card company, or the Internet payment service provider.
    • Protect yourself: Scammers often contact you again. Sometimes with the same scam. Sometimes to help you “recover your money”. Consider changing your email address/phone number. Also, install the ScamAdviser browser extension to warn you of scams.

    Our article “How and Where to Report a Scam” gives you more detail and tips on how you can best report online fraud.

    Scam Victim Support in Spain

    We are unaware of any scam victim support organization in Spain.

    How to Check for a Scam in Spain

    Of course, you can always check for scams on ScamAdviser.com. However, there are several other sources where you can check if a website is registered as a company and if it can offer financial, gambling, or other regulated services as well.

    Anti-Scam Organizations & Consumer Authorities

    Popular Scams in Spain

    Rental Scams

    Unfortunately, rental scams occur frequently in Spain, especially in well-known tourist locations like Barcelona and Madrid. Unwary tenants are duped by scammers using a variety of strategies, such as snapping arbitrary images of rental homes and posting them on well-known internet forums at prices below the going rental cost. They might even impersonate real estate brokers or owners and demand upfront payment—often via wire transfer or cryptocurrency—without presenting any documentation or evidence of ownership. Renters should take precautions and properly investigate prospective renters or agents prior to paying or signing any contracts, for this reason.

    Scam News From Spain

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    Top Safety Picks

    Your Go-To Tools for Online Safety
    Disclaimer: Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

    1. ScamAdviser App - iOS : Your personal scam detector, on the go! Check website safety, report scams, and get instant alerts. Available on iOS
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