British duo arrested in Benidorm over fake kidnapping plot to net €830
Specialist officers were brought in from Madrid before the authorities realised it was an elaborate scam
Two British tourists have been arrested in Benidorm after allegedly staging a bizarre fake kidnapping and demanding an €830 (£725) ransom from a relative back in the UK.
The men, aged 51 and 37, are accused of filming a dramatic video in which one appeared to threaten the other with a knife. The supposed victim was shown covered in what looked like blood, and the footage was sent to a family member as proof that his life was in danger unless the money was paid.
According to the National Police, the investigation began after a tip off from Interpol about a possible abduction of a British national in the holiday hotspot. A concerned relative had alerted the authorities in the UK after receiving the alarming video and further messages demanding payment.
Spanish officers contacted British consular officials and obtained copies of the footage and recordings of phone calls in which the alleged kidnapper warned that the man would be killed if the €830 was not transferred into his bank account.
Specialist officers dealing with kidnappings and extortion were brought in from Madrid and a large-scale operation was launched in Benidorm. Local police paused other investigations and focused on locating the supposed hostage before any harm could come to him.
After tracing the pair to a hotel where they had checked in days earlier, officers kept watch and eventually saw the two men chatting calmly together. It quickly became clear, police explained, that there was no kidnapping at all.
Both were arrested on suspicion of faking a crime and fraud. Officers also discovered that the alleged kidnapper had used a false name, which could lead to an additional identity fraud charge. If convicted, they could face prison as well as being ordered to cover the cost of the police operation.
Image: Benidorm Palace
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