Seven people have been arrested after a criminal network allegedly tricked people looking for long-term homes in Malaga into paying deposits for properties they had no right to rent out.

Police believe around 20 people have already fallen victim to the scam, with losses estimated at €150,000. Another three people are being investigated in connection with the alleged operation.

What made the fraud particularly convincing was that the properties were real. Members of the gang would first book tourist apartments for just one day before advertising them as available for long-term rental.

They then arranged viewings, showed prospective tenants around the homes and collected money for reservations and deposits. Payments were made through Bizum, Spain’s popular mobile payment service, or bank transfers.

In some cases, the same apartment was offered to several different people on the same day, with each being led to believe they had secured a place to live.

Suspected ringleader operated from Thailand

According to the National Police investigation, reported by EFE, the organisation was based on the Costa del Sol but had an international element. Its alleged ringleader operated from Thailand, where he coordinated the fraudulent activity and recruited people in Spain to carry out the practical work.

Different members had clearly defined roles. Some published advertisements on social media and arranged appointments, while others showed prospective tenants around the apartments and collected their money. Investigators also uncovered a system involving numerous telephone numbers and bank accounts, with cryptocurrency allegedly used to launder some of the proceeds.

Benalmadena featured in the operation, with one suspect responsible for collecting money and arranging the movement of funds and apartment keys. Another allegedly received cash and converted it into cryptocurrency.

Police warn more victims could come forward

The investigation began after several complaints were received by the National Police’s Central District station in Malaga. Officers subsequently identified the properties involved and carried out operations to catch suspects in the act. Several further scams were prevented when prospective tenants arrived to reserve apartments.

Seven people have now been arrested and three others are under investigation for alleged offences including membership of a criminal organisation, fraud and money laundering.

Police believe the number of victims could increase as the investigation continues, given how many people were reportedly shown the same apartments. The case is another warning for people searching for rental accommodation in Spain. EWN previously reported on how fake landlords were targeting desperate renters across Spain, with criminals exploiting the pressure on people to find somewhere to live.

Anyone searching for a long-term rental should check the identity of the person offering the property and establish that they are the owner or have proper authority to rent it out. Paying a deposit before verifying these details can leave prospective tenants seriously out of pocket.

For more home renting advice, see EWN’s guide to avoiding rental scams in Spain.

Visiting a large Spanish hospital for the first time can be a daunting experience, particularly if you are not confident speaking Spanish. But a little preparation can make all the difference, according to British expat Steve Marshall, who has put together a practical guide to help English-speaking residents navigate their way around the Hospital Universitario Costa del Sol near Marbella.

Steve says, “Getting older often means more frequent visits to doctors and hospitals. While appointments at a local health centre may be relatively straightforward, larger public hospitals can be confusing, busy and difficult to navigate, especially when language becomes a barrier.”

Steve’s guide focuses on the Hospital Universitario Costa del Sol, situated just off the A-7 at kilometre 187, near Marbella. His message is simple: “be prepared, know where to go and don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

Here is his step-by-step guide.

1. Prepare before leaving home

Having the right paperwork and information with you can save considerable time and frustration.

Steve recommends taking:

• Your hospital appointment letter or SMS confirmation.
• Your Spanish health card, TIE or passport.
• A list of your current medicines and their dosages.
• Any recent X-rays, test results or relevant medical paperwork.
• A written list of your main medical concerns.

One particularly useful tip is to use Google Translate to produce a Spanish version of your medical concerns. This gives you something to show your consultant if communication becomes difficult.

Steve also advises checking that your mobile phone is working and fully charged. Take some water, a face mask if you prefer to wear one, and allow plenty of time to get there.

2. Finding the hospital

The hospital has been extended and, according to Steve, visitors should use the new entrance at the front of the extension rather than looking for the former main entrance. There is free parking available, while public transport provides alternatives for those without a car.

From Fuengirola:

• Take the M-220 bus.
• Get off at Los Monteros.
• Walk approximately 350 metres to the main hospital entrance.

From Marbella:

• Check the timetables for bus lines 6, 12 and 13.

Steve recommends checking current bus services before setting off, as routes and timetables can change.

3. Checking in: where to go first

Once inside the hospital, turn right towards the reception area. For English-speaking patients, Steve recommends looking for the desk marked with a Union Jack flag. This is where patients can seek assistance if they are unsure about their appointment or where they need to go. Wheelchairs are also usually available near the entrance.

If you already know where you are going, the automated check-in consoles offer another option:

1. Do not check in more than 30 minutes before your appointment.
2. Select ‘English’ in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
3. Enter your NIE number.
4. Collect your numbered ticket.

Large directory notices on the walls help visitors find their way around.

Still unsure? Take your ticket to the member of staff at the Union Jack desk. Steve says patients can also request a free interpreter service there if needed.

4. Finding your consultation room

Once checked in, follow the directions to your designated waiting room.

Find your room number and take a seat. A television screen will display patient identification numbers, corresponding to the numbers printed on the tickets issued at reception.

Keep an eye on the screen. When your number appears, it is time to go into your consultation.

5. During and after your appointment

Consultations usually involve both a consultant and a nurse. Steve says most consultants he has encountered speak English, although this is less common among nursing staff.

Patients are normally given a written medical report in Spanish after their consultation. If you do not have an interpreter with you, your smartphone can be particularly useful.

Steve recommends using the translation app on your phone to:

• Translate the written medical report into English.
• Help you understand.

A few euros added at the supermarket till this weekend could help ensure families in Mijas have food on the table. Seventeen local supermarkets are taking part in Bancosol’s Great Collection on Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14, inviting shoppers to make a small donation while doing their usual shopping.

Easy ways to help

Rather than collecting tins and packets at the door, Bancosol is asking for financial donations this year. At the checkout, customers can tell the cashier how much they would like to give, and the amount is added to their receipt.

There is no set amount and no pressure to give. Whether someone can spare €1 or a little more, every contribution helps Bancosol buy the food its partner organisations need most.

Participating stores in Mijas include familiar names such as Mercadona, Carrefour and El Corte Ingles, so many residents will be able to take part during an ordinary shopping trip.

Helping neighbours in Mijas

Bancosol, the Costa del Sol Food Bank, currently supports 483 people in Mijas. Of these, 190 are children and young people.

Across the wider province, the organisation helps 20,589 people through 129 local charities and community groups. Of that total, 5,094 are minors.

For families already stretched by rising living costs, reliable access to everyday essentials can make a real difference. Financial donations allow Bancosol to buy items when they are needed, including fresh produce and products with shorter shelf lives.

Volunteers are always welcome

Bancosol is also looking for volunteers to help during the two-day collection. Volunteers will welcome customers, explain the campaign and let people know how they can donate at the till.

Shifts last approximately three to four hours and are available in the morning or afternoon. Some volunteers have already completed the necessary training, but more people are needed to cover all participating stores.

Anyone who would like to help can call 621 30 72 92 for information or to sign up.

A community effort

Mijas Town Council is supporting the campaign, together with the local association Sembrando Sonrisas Cosechando Felicidad, which translates as “Sowing Smiles, Harvesting Happiness”.

The initiative is part of Bancosol’s wider Great Collection across Malaga province, which will involve 285 supermarkets and aims to raise €450,000. The money is intended to help maintain food supplies for vulnerable households until spring.

Bancosol’s president, Diego Vazquez, has stressed that volunteers make a visible difference to the amount raised, particularly in smaller towns where fewer people may already know about the campaign.

For Mijas’s international community, the collection is an opportunity to support neighbours who may be having a difficult time. No specialist knowledge is needed, and a donation can be made in the same visit as a weekly food shop.

How to take part

– Visit a participating supermarket in Mijas on Friday, November 13 or Saturday, November 14.
– Ask the cashier to add a donation to your receipt.
– Consider volunteering for a morning or afternoon shift.
– Call 621 30 72 92 to find out more or register as a volunteer.

For more information on the wonderful work they do, visit the Bancosol official website. Every contribution, no matter the size, can help the families who need it most.