Spain’s Civil Guard announced the dismantling of a Barcelona-based criminal network accused of stealing and reselling high-end smartphones in Morocco. The group of 15 people, aged between 22 and 70, is linked to at least 60 thefts across 16 provinces, with stolen goods valued at nearly €60,000, in addition to online fraud attempts through hacked devices.
The investigation began after a violent robbery in Aguilar de Campoo in October 2023, which investigators later connected to a string of similar crimes along the Mediterranean coast. The gang used a technique known as “la molita,” where one member distracted shop staff under false pretenses while stealing phones concealed under a sheet, before escaping with accomplices waiting in a car.
Four members specialized in unlocking and preparing the devices for resale in Morocco. Authorities also reported fraudulent bank transfers worth about €27,000 using stolen phones. Investigations continue into the group’s international resale networks.
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