- He allegedly used a fake awning installation business to charge for work that was never carried out.
- Six local residents were defrauded of more than €30,000.
28 May 2026 — The Guardia Civil, as part of Operation “Umbrellashade”, has arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of committing multiple fraud offences in Santa Pola. The suspect allegedly offered services, requested advance payments, and then failed to carry out the agreed work.
The investigation was led by the Investigation Unit of the Guardia Civil in Santa Pola and began on 14 April, following several complaints from residents who reported being deceived in a similar way. According to investigators, the suspect used an awning installation business to attract customers and provide quotes for various jobs. To begin the work, he requested full or partial payment in advance. However, once the money had been received, he either stopped responding or repeatedly delayed the work without ever completing the contracted services.
Investigators established that the man had allegedly defrauded six victims in Santa Pola of more than €30,000. Officers also discovered that he had significantly changed his daily routine, greatly reducing the time he spent outside the home where he was believed to be hiding. This was reportedly due to several outstanding search and imprisonment warrants linked to previous offences of a similar nature. Despite this, he continued to attract new customers through the internet and social media.
As officers were unable to locate him in public, an operation was carried out at his home on 30 April. During the intervention, the suspect attempted to flee through the building’s basement, but was intercepted by officers and arrested on suspicion of continued fraud.
The detainee was brought before the Investigating Section of the Elche Court of First Instance, which ordered that he be remanded in custody.
The Guardia Civil has not ruled out the possibility of further victims coming forward and advises anyone who may have been affected to report the matter in order to receive guidance.
