Alert: How You're Distracted at ATMs to Steal Your Money

National Police particularly warn elderly individuals when withdrawing money from ATMs. They offer a series of recommendations and advice to protect against criminals who seize this opportunity to steal customers' money. This type of criminal activity is known in police jargon as 'sowing', and it has recently occurred in Alicante in the past weeks.

Police have arrested a 24-year-old man in Alicante as the alleged perpetrator of six crimes committed at ATMs of various banks in the city. The suspect approached his victims while they were using the ATMs, distracted them, and manipulated the terminal to withdraw as much money as possible in each transaction. In this way, he managed to steal over 5,400 euros.

The incidents followed the same 'modus operandi': the perpetrator approached individuals aged between 54 and 82 as they began using the ATM. He took advantage of the moment they entered their PIN to approach and distract them, manipulating the terminal and making a withdrawal of the highest possible amount, usually 900 euros. This scam method is commonly referred to as 'sowing'.

The suspect is well-known to the authorities. In fact, he has been arrested 29 times in just eight months by various police forces, mostly for violent robberies, burglaries, fraud, and other charges. Additionally, he is considered dangerous, as he would react violently if the victim detected the manoeuvre to complete the theft.

Thanks to the efforts of the Judicial Police Group agents, they managed to identify the alleged perpetrator. He was a young man known for his criminal activities. The National Police located and arrested the suspect in Alicante. During his arrest, several items of clothing matching those used in three of the investigated incidents were seized.

He was brought before the Alicante Magistrate's Court. He is charged with fraud and robbery with violence and intimidation.