The most active gang dedicated to robbing the elderly with the affectionate hug scam falls

Precisely, the investigation began after detecting the presence in the capital of a family clan dedicated to the continuous theft of high-end watches and jewelry committed with this method on elderly people. A scam, that of the affectionate hug (or love theft), which is usually carried out by itinerant gangs, mostly from Romania, who operate throughout Spain.

“They almost always move in pairs,” recall the police sources consulted by ABC, aware of the distribution of roles: the normal thing is that a woman approaches to cajole her victim with hugs and words of affection, while a second crony waits in the wings. vicinity with a prepared vehicle. When she takes the loot (bracelets, pendants and other jewelry in plain sight), the two get into the car and flee.

And in order not to deviate from the usual path, the agents’ investigations detected that although the family clan was based in Madrid, they carried out their criminal activity throughout the national territory, focusing their latest attacks on cities in the north of Spain. Once at the chosen destination, members of the organization selected safe houses as a center of operations, generally in rural environments, from where they distributed the couples in search of potential victims to approach.

Thanks to the investigations carried out, it was found that they had committed at least 14 robberies, two of them violently. For this reason, eight people have been arrested (six in Spain and two in Romania) who, after collecting the stolen jewelry throughout the country, sent them to Romania. But not only that. The investigations have also made it possible to identify another family unit that was responsible for receiving the stolen effects and how to dispose of them. This clan, also based in Madrid, was in charge of making express trips to the cities where the thieves were located to collect the merchandise they sought.

Returning to the capital, the latter carried out parcel shipments to Romania through specialized companies, hiding the objects inside household appliances. The jewels sent using this method were received by the patriarchs and leaders of both clans, owners of a large number of properties and high-end vehicles, and with a high standard of living. Those detained here, on the other hand, now face 14 crimes against property, money laundering, reception and membership in a criminal organization.