Europol's most wanted fraudster caught hiding out in Alicante
Fugitive behind €1.2 million scam arrested in Pilar de la Horadada after three-month police hunt
A man featured on Europol’s Most Wanted list has been arrested in the Alicante town of Pilar de la Horadada, after evading capture for more than three months.The suspect, a Hungarian national, was wanted in connection with 15 counts of fraud and document falsification, for which he faces more than 22 years in prison. He had been the subject of a European Arrest Warrant issued on Thursday May 30 by the Hungarian authorities.
According to the investigation, the man set up a logistics company in 2019, supposedly to transport and ship high-value goods. But police say his true intent was fraudulent. Once in possession of the goods, he would sell them off instead of shipping them, pocketing the profits.
The scam is believed to have caused damages of €1.2 million, and affected the financial interests of the European Communities.
The National Police launched a search as soon as the warrant was issued, initially suspecting he may have fled Spain. However, signs soon pointed to his whereabouts being between the Region of Murcia and Alicante.
Surveillance was set up around several locations linked to him, including those tied to a high-end vehicle connected with the fake company. Police tracked his movements across the area, with occasional trips as far as Alicante Airport.
Finally, after weeks of monitoring, the fugitive was found living in Pilar de la Horadada, a town on the border of the Region of Murcia. Officers moved in and arrested him without incident.
A police spokesperson confirmed, “The arrest follows three months of intense investigation and cooperation, which led to the successful location and detention of a dangerous individual wanted across Europe.”
The man now awaits extradition proceedings back to Hungary, where he will face trial for the offences.
Image: Policía Nacional
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