The National Police have arrested a 52-year-old woman at Málaga-Costa del Sol airport who was posing as a lawyer and real estate intermediary. She is accused of defrauding €100,000 from an investor in the purchase of a mansion in Marbella.
The National Police have detained a 52-year-old woman at Málaga-Costa del Sol airport accused of impersonating a lawyer and real estate intermediary to defraud an investor of €100,000 in the purchase of a mansion in Marbella. The suspect, who had an active arrest warrant, was intercepted while trying to enter the country using her sister's passport.
The scheme began to unravel after the victim, a 43-year-old man, filed a complaint. Attracted by an appealing rent-to-own option in a luxury Marbella development, the investor contacted the arrested woman, who allegedly presented herself as a prestigious lawyer and a regular collaborator with the main real estate agencies in the area.
According to police sources, the supposed lawyer's persuasive ability was such that she managed to deceive the real estate agencies themselves. Under the promise of attracting high-net-worth buyers, she convinced industry professionals to hand over the keys to show the properties.
With guaranteed access to the properties and a carefully crafted document facade, the woman persuaded the victim to make two cash deposits as a reservation: a first payment of €80,000 and a subsequent one of €20,000. Once she had obtained the loot, she disappeared without a trace.
Investigators from the Specialised and Tax Crime Unit (UDEF) of the Marbella Police Station confirmed that the arrested woman used a fake profile for negotiations and regularly operated under her sister's identity, taking advantage of their notable physical resemblance to evade police action.
The deception came to an end at Málaga airport, where officers identified her as she attempted to pass through document control with her sister's passport. After matching her fingerprints, the police confirmed her true identity.
The arrested woman is charged with fraud, identity theft, document forgery, professional intrusion, and tax fraud. After being brought before the court, the judge has imposed precautionary measures including the withdrawal of her passport and a prohibition on leaving the national territory.
The investigation remains open, as the National Police suspect there may be more victims of the fake lawyer. Authorities remind property buyers in the province of the importance of verifying the identity and professional registration of those involved in these transactions, as well as being wary of cash payments as reservations.
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