Online Scams & Fraud in Spain
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.
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.
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.
- Asociación de Internautas- This association offers users tips, as well as issues, alert against popular online scams such as online shopping.
- The National Securities Market Commission (CNMV)- You can check for investment scams here as they are in charge of the securities market in Spain.
Anti-Scam Organizations & Consumer Authorities
- The Association of Spanish Companies Against Fraud- They coordinate the exchange of data and anti-fraud information between companies and consumers.
- The Department for National Security (DSN)- They compile scam reports in Spain as well as computer-related fraud.
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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As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam. Common Sense: Too Good To Be True When looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact. If an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website. Check Out the Social Media Links Social media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu
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