Spain's Civil Guard has dismantled a criminal organization in Navalmoral de la Mata, Cáceres, that psychologically manipulated vulnerable people to scam them through supposed spiritual activities. Four members, two men and two women, have been arrested on charges including fraud, criminal association, and money laundering. The group generated around 200,000 euros in one year from at least a dozen victims, mostly from South and Central America.
Spain's Civil Guard began the investigation months ago upon detecting the organization's activities in Navalmoral de la Mata, Cáceres. The group targeted people in adverse situations, particularly immigrants from South and Central America, offering them supposed spiritual guidance to overcome their issues. Through psychological and emotional manipulation, they induced victims to make recurring payments, often via Bizum or other direct methods, under the pretext of participating in spiritual activities.
The group's structure featured defined hierarchical levels, with specific roles assigned to collaborators to sustain the criminal operation. According to the Civil Guard's statement, at least a dozen victims underwent this alleged manipulation, yielding an estimated profit of 200,000 euros in one year.
On November 11, agents conducted six searches in homes and premises linked to the organization. During these operations, cash was seized, bank accounts were frozen, and mobile phones, computer equipment, and documents related to the illegal activities were confiscated. Additional funds had been seized a month earlier.
The four detainees face charges of fraud, criminal association, coercion, a crime against workers' rights, and money laundering. The investigation is overseen by the Court of First Instance 3 in Navalmoral de la Mata and the Cáceres Prosecutor's Office, via its Territorial Section in Plasencia.
The Civil Guard has issued a public call for potential victims or individuals with relevant information to contact authorities, aiming to expand the inquiries.
