Spanish police have successfully dismantled a massive Bitcoin-themed cryptocurrency pyramid scheme that defrauded over 3,600 victims out of approximately $32.6 million. The operation, led by Spain’s National Police Corps (CNP), resulted in the arrest of eight individuals across multiple cities, including Malaga, Madrid, and Meria.
The group, consisting of various professionals such as marketing experts and web designers, ran a complex operation that promoted fake Bitcoin investment plans to unsuspecting individuals, many of whom had no prior knowledge of cryptocurrencies.
The scam operators made it simple for victims to convert large sums of money, often hundreds or thousands of euros, into Bitcoin. Some victims were even manipulated into surrendering control of their electronic devices, enabling the scammers to perform crypto transfers and steal personal and banking information.
Growing Threat of Scams
The police first learned of the scheme in 2022 when a victim filed a complaint in Murcia, and the investigation revealed a fraudulent network in which new investors’ funds were used to pay older investors, a typical characteristic of a pyramid scheme.
The CNP found that the scammers had promised unrealistic returns of 40% after one month and up to 300% after a year. Investigators discovered substantial Bitcoin holdings in the criminals’ wallets, as well as a worthless token they issued to investors.
The scam affected victims across 36 countries, with the majority of the victims residing in Spain. In response, the authorities froze 73 bank accounts, seized vehicles, and impounded cash and computer equipment. The operation serves as a reminder of the risks of unregulated crypto investments and the growing threat of scams in the industry.
