Arrests have been made in Spain of scammers advertising bogus holiday apartments for rent in Barcelona.
The National Police and Guardia Civil moved in on the gang after a two year operation.
Arrests of 24 people were made across Spain in places such as Barcelona, Madrid, Tarragona and Murcia. The alleged mastermind was apprehended in Belgium.
The gang is believed by police to have swindled advance payment money in 237 fake transactions.
Barcelona has been catapulted into the third most popular destination in Europe, following Paris and London, but it has struggled to cope with the number of visitors.
But con artists, too, have seen Barcelona’s potential.
An uneasy relationship between officials and Airbnb along with other rental sites has ensued as more properties are being deployed for tourist accommodation rather than being made available for long-term rent for residents.
Mayor Ada Colau last July suspended the granting of new licences for rental properties until city hall can provide an “in-depth analysis” of the sector.
