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Málaga Travel Agent Accused of Using Clients’ Money to Fund ‘Fake Soldier’ as Police Arrest 11

Police report 55 complaints totaling about €100,000, with payments routed through a laundering network into cryptocurrencies and accounts in Belgium and Lithuania.

Overview

  • Florín Viajes owner Florinda admits transferring about €280,000 in under a year to someone posing as a soldier in Lebanon and says she even pawned her jewellery.
  • National Police detained the agency owner and 11 alleged network members across several provinces after searches that seized about €56,000 in cash, around $17,400 in crypto, and blocked properties and vehicles.
  • Investigators say roughly 80% of the transfers went to a Catalan woman who acted as a money mule, converting funds to cryptocurrency and channeling money through a computer shop.
  • Victims describe paying large sums—often in cash after being told the card machine was down—for holidays that were never booked, including a €5,340 Disneyland trip for a family.
  • Florinda now blames employees for the business collapse, a claim disputed by clients, as the criminal probe and asset actions continue.