Madrid, April 21 – National Police have arrested a Lithuanian national accused of defrauding approximately 85,000 euros from at least 32 victims through a sophisticated rental scam in the Centro and Salamanca districts of Madrid. The suspect allegedly offered tourist apartments as long-term rentals, primarily targeting individuals residing outside of Spain.
Investigation Initiated by Foreign Student’s Complaint
The investigation began in October following a complaint from a foreign resident planning to move to Madrid for a master’s degree. During an online housing search, the victim contacted a supposed landlord who showed him a property via video call. To finalize the agreement, the victim paid a 1,750 euro deposit, 500 euros in management fees, and an additional month’s rent of 1,750 euros. However, upon arriving at the property, the victim discovered the fraud when he encountered several other individuals in the same situation.
Sophisticated Modus Operandi
The arrested individual employed a sophisticated method to feign legality. He would rent apartments as tourist accommodations and then, without authorization, offer them as long-term rentals through popular real estate portals like Idealista, Booking, and other applications. To avoid detection, he communicated exclusively through messaging applications and specifically targeted victims living outside Spain.
In instances where in-person visits were requested, the suspect used third parties, whom he referred to as “assistants,” who were unaware of the illicit activity. The urgency of securing housing and the perceived opportunity led victims to overlook verifying the authenticity of the contracts.
32 Victims and Significant Financial Losses
Police investigations linked the suspect to 31 other similar cases. The total amount defrauded reached approximately 85,000 euros. The suspect demanded two months’ rent in advance, plus management fees. He offered properties on streets such as Acuerdo, Escorial, and Silva.
Arrest and Seizure of Evidence
The arrest and search of two residences used by the alleged perpetrator took place on February 20 and 21. During the searches, authorities confiscated lists of properties, appointment diaries, bank cards, multiple SIM cards, computers, six mobile phones, and professional photographic equipment used to create more credible advertisements.
Investigators also confirmed that the arrested individual had no fixed residence in Spain and used at least two different identities to complicate identification. Following his arrest, he has been released with a prohibition on leaving Spanish territory.
Impact on Victims and Rental Market
This case highlights the risks faced by individuals seeking rental properties, especially those from abroad who may be less familiar with local regulations and verification processes. The use of tourist apartments for long-term rentals without proper authorization is a growing concern in cities like Madrid, contributing to housing shortages and potential scams.
Authorities urge caution when dealing with online rental offers, advising potential tenants to verify the legitimacy of landlords and properties through official channels and to be wary of demands for large upfront payments without proper contractual agreements and in-person viewings with the actual landlord.
