A Sweet Crime: Three Arrested for Fraud Against Confectionery Companies

Behind one of the sweetest crimes faced by the Alicante Civil Guard was a network of fake emails and company impersonations. As part of Operation Tsukor, officers have arrested three individuals involved in a series of frauds targeting companies specializing in the manufacture and import of sweets and nougat in the province.

The alleged fraudsters purchased large quantities of sweets by impersonating businesses in the sector. Once the order was placed, it was sent to a different location and never paid for. From there, it was sold at retail, taking advantage of the Christmas season. The three detainees, after being brought before the court, have been released with precautionary measures.

Investigations began in November when one of the affected companies reported being a victim of fraud. According to the complaint, a company supposedly located in Palencia had placed an order for products but, after receiving the goods, did not make the corresponding payment.

Faced with these facts and to clarify the reported incidents, the Investigation Area of the Ibi Main Post initiated Operation Tsukor.

In the first phase, officers analyzed the transaction and discovered that the order had not reached the Palencia company but had been sent to an industrial estate in Murcia. At the end of November, the Civil Guard arrested a person at this location responsible for transporting the goods to their final destination.

In the second phase, investigations intensified to locate the warehouse where the fraudulently obtained material was stored. During this process, a second well-known company, this time from the nougat sector, reported a similar fraud.

The investigation revealed that the criminals impersonated the Palencia company's identity, using business data to contact victims. They also registered fake mobile lines and emails to reinforce the credibility of their system. The goods obtained through fraud were transported in various stages to hinder tracking until a trusted person collected them to take to the warehouse used by the organization. Subsequently, the goods were sold at retail.

On December 18, officers located the warehouse used by the criminals in the municipality of Murcia and conducted an inspection. This facility belonged to a family business dedicated to the trade of sweets and nougat, managed by a son and his father, the latter with a criminal record for similar offenses.

During the intervention, the Civil Guard arrested both individuals for their alleged involvement in three fraud offenses worth over 36,000 euros. Additionally, 100 kilograms of assorted chocolates were seized and returned to the affected companies, and four mobile terminals were made available to the court.

The three detainees who appeared before the Murcia District Court were released with precautionary measures while the investigation continues to determine if there are more affected companies. The officers have been supported by colleagues from the Roca Ibi Team and the Santomera Main Post.