Police dismantle elaborate large scale counterfeit currency scam in Spain

In a significant operation, the National Police have successfully arrested five people involved in an intricate scam, widely recognized as the 'wash wash' scam of counterfeit currency. The arrests took place in two major cities, with two suspects captured in Barcelona and three in Madrid, shedding light on a deceptive scheme that exploited unsuspecting victims.

The investigation began in August 2023 when vigilant surveillance by the National Police on social media and the dark web uncovered a suspicious website. Posing as a German organisation, the site offered counterfeit euros without specifying denominations.

Red flags were raised when options for both online and face-to-face purchases were presented, a rarity in the realm of online counterfeit currency trade. Further suspicion arose from the site's multiple contact options via instant messaging applications.

The 'Wash Wash' Deception

At the heart of the scam was the 'wash wash' or 'tinted banknotes' deception. Victims were led to believe that white cardboard, when subjected to specific chemicals and seemingly magical processes, could be transformed into legitimate or high-quality counterfeit banknotes.

After establishing contact with the suspects, the police confirmed their active involvement in this fraudulent operation.

Seizures and Arrests

In Barcelona, two suspects were apprehended following a vehicle search that yielded counterfeit €50 and €100 notes, €1,550 in legal tender, chemicals, fake documents, and materials used in the production of counterfeit currency.

As the investigation unfolded, it was revealed in November that several people had successfully swindled a victim out of a substantial sum using the same modus operandi.

The perpetrators convinced the victim to invest more money for chemicals to 'clean' the remaining cardboard, part of a larger promised amount. This revelation led to the arrest of two additional individuals and a third accomplice in Madrid.

Legal Proceedings

All detainees have been placed in provisional custody, with evidence linking them to several fraudulent crimes involving amounts exceeding €500,000 in some cases.

The successful dismantling of this elaborate scam underlines the importance of thorough investigations and the vigilance of law enforcement agencies in combatting sophisticated financial fraud.