A gang accused of targeting tourists to steal their personal belongings before using the victims' bank cards to make fraudulent purchases and withdraw cash, has been dismantled following a Guardia Civil operation that led to the arrest of two people in southern Gran Canaria and the identification of a third suspect.

The investigation began after several holidaymakers reported thefts between late April and early May in busy leisure and tourist areas of Mogán.

Stolen items generally included wallets and handbags, with the victims later discovering that their bank cards had been used without them realising at a shopping centre in the area.

Organised and Coordinated Operation

According to investigators, the suspects worked as a well-organised team with clearly defined roles. While one member used the stolen bank cards to make purchases in shops, another kept watch for potential risks, and a third acted as a distraction to help the crimes go unnoticed.

Police say the group selected numerous items in the stores before making several transactions in quick succession using the stolen cards, demonstrating, what officers described as, considerable experience in this type of offence.

After leaving the shops, the suspects allegedly visited nearby cash machines, where they carried out multiple withdrawals within minutes, obtaining significant amounts of cash from the stolen accounts.

CCTV Key to Investigation

Guardia Civil officers analysed CCTV footage from both the shopping centre and the ATM, allowing them to reconstruct the suspects' movements.

Investigators identified the group through a combination of physical characteristics, distinctive tattoos, clothing and behavioural patterns, comparing the images with previous police records and photographs provided by victims.

The evidence led officers to identify three individuals believed to have repeatedly committed offences together in the Mogán area.

Charges and Ongoing Proceedings

The two people arrested face allegations of multiple counts of theft and fraud, including continuous fraud and membership of a criminal group.

The financial losses currently under investigation amount to at least €3,600 in cash withdrawals, with the total expected to rise once the value of fraudulently purchased goods is added.

The case has now been referred to the investigating court, where the suspects remain under judicial investigation.