Tourists who visit the Costa Blanca region are duped into making donations to bogus charities

Three people were arrested after tourists in Castell de Guadalest, Alicante Province, made donations to a fake charity on the street.

The court in Villajoyosa released the men between the ages of 40 and 45.

The nationalities of the men or women involved have not been disclosed.

READ MORE

The Guardia Civil investigates whether the trio is behind similar scams committed in other tourist regions of Spain.

Operation Ludwiz has been launched by the authorities after they received reports of scammers posing as tourists in Castell de Guadalest.

They demanded money from various groups, and displayed fake documents claiming to be charities that benefited mainly children and people with disabilities.

Scammers exploited the victims’ goodwill by using official-looking documents to get them to reach into their pockets.

The Guardia contacted a number witnesses and conducted a surveillance operation.

The three men were spotted by the police after shopkeepers and passersby reported their presence.

Officers found a list of signatures, money and papers from an alleged charity in the car of the men.

The Guardia warned people not to trust anyone who solicits a donation on the street, even if they possess documents and signature lists.

Some charities point out that they rarely solicit money on the street, or for immediate donations.

They ask people to not send money, give personal information or sign documents until they have verified that the organisation is legitimate.

The Olive Press offers Costa Blanca News.