Three arrested as part of group that organized illegal parties during lockdown

Catalan police have dismantled a criminal organization specializing in throwing illegal parties during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. Officers have arrested three people who have been charged with at least 25 counts of fraud and forgery. 

The alleged perpetrators held events in rural tourism accommodations without the consent of the owners and without paying rent for the space, hotel supplies, or the contracting of basic services. 

They are thought to have sold tickets and drinks to attendees with investigators estimating the group managed to defraud around €200,000.

Capacities for the accommodation spaces where the parties were held is usually between 10-15, but the number of people who attended the events is believed to be 300-400. The group typically threw such parties in rural areas, in the counties of Maresme, Noguera, Garraf, Pla de l’Estany, Alt Camp, Baix Empordà, Gironès, Bages, Osona, La Selva, and Tarragonès.

The group contacted rural tourism companies or service companies hiding their identities under false names. In some cases, they used copies of other people's documents, other times they used a third party as an intermediary who did not know the real intent of the group.

Once contact was made, they pretended to pay rental fees by bank transfer which turned out to be fake. They sent e-mails or instant messages showing bank transfer receipts with false information which usually convinced the recipient that, due to the proximity of the upcoming weekend, the payment would not be delivered until a few days later.

This whole scheme would usually take place in a very short space of time, approximately 24 hours from first contact with those in charge of the accommodation to the party taking place. The group never let attendees know the exact location of the party until late into the night of the event to reduce the risk of possible police action. 

The criminal group was well organized, each with specific functions and tasks assigned to them.

The three detainees were taken to court on April 8 with more than 25 charges brought against the group. They were then released from custody on charges. 

In addition to fraud and forgery, complaints were also processed against them for violations of the law on the administrative regulation of public events and recreational activities, for the holding of these types of events without authorization, and for the non-compliance with health regulations to prevent the spread of Covid-19.