The Civil Guard in Bizkaia has dismantled a criminal organization dedicated to the so-called " like scam ," a fraud that has claimed victims in several Spanish provinces. The operation, carried out by the @ Team of the Bizkaia Command, has identified four people as allegedly responsible for the crimes of fraud, money laundering, and belonging to a criminal group.
The suspects, residents of Bizkaia, Huelva, Seville, and Valencia, lured their victims through fake profiles on instant messaging applications. They offered them quick and easy income in exchange for performing simple tasks on social media, such as liking posts or following certain profiles. The investigation began after one of the victims reported the scam to the authorities.
This is how the "like" scam scheme operated
The modus operandi of this network followed a well-studied pattern. In the first phase, the scammers added users to messaging groups where they promised small payments for completing very basic tasks. To lend credibility to the scheme, they made the initial payments, usually between 50 and 100 euros, although in some cases they reached 300 euros. In this way, they gained the victims' complete trust in the offer.
Once they had gained that trust, the criminals changed their approach. They began requesting more complex tasks that required financial contributions from the users , promising to recoup the money along with significant profits. The amounts demanded increased progressively until, the moment the victims made the payment, the perpetrators cut off all communication and disappeared with the money.
The agents of Team @ thoroughly analyzed bank transactions and technological connections linked to the criminal activity. This work allowed them to identify the holders of several bank accounts used to receive money from the victims. The study of these accounts revealed a high volume of transactions consistent with other similar incidents, leading to the identification of eight additional victims.
Victims spread throughout the national territory
So far, the Civil Guard has identified nine people affected by this scam, residents of Valencia, Tarragona, Huelva, Madrid, Jaén, Asturias, and Seville. Among them is a resident of Jaén, who joins the list of victims who fell for the fraudulent income scheme. The investigation does not rule out the possibility of more victims coming forward as the case becomes more widely known.
The case file has been submitted to the Civil and Preliminary Investigation Section of the Court of First Instance in Barakaldo (Bizkaia). The four individuals under investigation face charges of fraud, money laundering, and membership in a criminal organization , offenses that can carry prison sentences and fines.
Recommendations to avoid falling for the like scam
The Civil Guard reminds the public of the importance of being wary of any offer promising easy money in exchange for minimal online tasks. Cybercriminals often use social engineering techniques to create a sense of urgency and pressure, so it is crucial not to make hasty decisions. If you have any suspicions, it is recommended that you gather evidence and file a report electronically through the Civil Guard's online portal or its official website.
They also warn against ever sending money upfront for supposed future gains, as this is one of the clearest signs of fraud. Verifying the legitimacy of profiles and platforms before making any payments or providing personal information can prevent many unpleasant surprises. The Civil Guard emphasizes that citizens can file reports electronically without needing to visit an official facility; this service is available for online scams, thefts, and other offenses.
The operation by the Civil Guard in Bizkaia has dismantled a nationwide network, but the risk of falling victim to this type of scam remains. Staying vigilant and following digital security guidelines is the best defense against the "like" scam, a swindle that, despite its apparent simplicity, has managed to deceive dozens of people across Spain.