A 50-year-old Icelandic man was arrested in Benidorm on allegations of fraud after he allegedly spent 10 days in the Spanish city without paying for his food and accommodation, reportedly running up bills of around £1,300
Police in the Spanish city of Benidorm have issued a statement after a 50-year-old Icelandic man was arrested for allegedly not paying bills at local hospitality venues.
The unnamed man, whose arrest the local police posted about on Instagram, reportedly spent just under £1,300 during a 10-day period in the popular holiday resort.
Local police alleged the unpaid money amounted to around €1,500 (£1,285) during the 10-day period before he was arrested. It is not known how many venues the man, who has been detained on suspicion of fraud, visited before his arrest.
Announcing the news on Instagram, the Local Police couldn’t resist a cheeky dig, suggesting that anyone thinking this was a clever way to enjoy a holiday was in for a rude awakening, reports Chronicle Live.
They said: “He was travelling light – both in terms of luggage and his wallet. A 50-year-old man, in Benidorm for 10 days, eating and sleeping without paying at venues around the city.
“But the Benidorm police turned up, and we’ve handed him the bill: arrested for an ‘alleged’ offence of fraud. If this is your idea of a holiday in Benidorm, we’re pleased to announce a special package with accommodation included.”
A police spokesperson also told Spanish news agency EFE that officers had been called to deal with the man at multiple locations before eventually making the arrest.
Meanwhile, Benidorm, much like countless other popular destinations, remains vulnerable to fraudsters, prompting long-term residents to share advice on how visitors can protect themselves from being caught out.
A British man who has lived in the city for 13 years recently alleged there was a new scam sweeping the city’s streets earlier this summer.
Posting on TikTok, the man, called Frank, offers advice to people visiting the popular coastal city. He spoke in June of a scam involving people who approach passers-by with clipboards.
Speaking on the seafront, he claimed: “As you’ve seen there, this is one of the scams that runs along the beachfront.”
Frank explained that people are asked to sign petitions before being asked to make a donation, at which point Frank’s partner added: “They’ll say it’s for the blind or the disabled and that they are petitioning to get something sorted here in Spain.”
Frank added: “They’re illegal, scamming, and they will take your money. Some people even get their wallets out and give them a few quid.”
Following his video, the Mirror reported that several people commented below it thanking him for his service and explaining how they knew people who had been caught out by the scam.
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