Young man arrested for robbing ATM users in Alicante

The National Police have arrested a 24-year-old man in Alicante as the perpetrator of six robberies that occurred at ATMs located at various banks in the city. The suspect, who possessed a lengthy criminal history, approached his victims while they were operating ATMs and successfully robbed them of over 5,400 euros. In order to accomplish this, he implemented a form of fraud that is referred to as “sowing” in police jargon. He even employed violence against one of the victims in one instance.

Commonly, the incidents were conducted in a similar manner. The perpetrator approached individuals between the ages of 54 and 82 as they proceeded to use the ATM. He took advantage of the moment they entered their PIN to approach and distract them, using the terminal and withdrawing the maximum amount possible, typically 900 euros.

The perpetrator was identified as a result of the investigation conducted by agents of the Judicial Police Group. He was a young man who was notorious for his illicit activities.

Background

The alleged perpetrator was apprehended by the National Police in the city of Alicante. Numerous garments were confiscated from him during his detention, which corresponded to those employed in three of the incidents under investigation.

The individual who was apprehended had been detained by a variety of law enforcement agencies on 29 separate occasions within the past eight months. The majority of these arrests were for burglary, fraud, robbery with violence, and other violations.

In Alicante, he was presented before the duty court. He is accused of theft and fraud with the use of violence and intimidation.

Tips for preventing ATM fraud

The National Police urges citizens, particularly seniors, to exercise caution when using ATMs:

• Refrain from operating if you observe individuals loitering in the vicinity.

• Be sure to conceal the keypad when entering your PIN.

• Refuse assistance from individuals who are not acquainted with you.

• Prevent any individual from approaching during the execution of an operation.

• In the event that the ATM is malfunctioning, it is advisable to either enter the branch or contact the bank and rescind the transaction.

It is imperative that you promptly notify the National Police in the event that you suspect or encounter any unusual circumstances. It is possible to prevent becoming a victim of this type of crime by paying attention to tiny details and taking preventative measures.