BRITS ARRESTED OVER FAKE HOTEL CLAIMS
TWO Britons have been detained on Mallorca for allegedly trying to persuade tourists to make false compensation claims against their hotels.
One was arrested after being questioned while the other was released, but both may face charges of fraud and illegal association.
The development is the first time that the Spanish authorities are reported to have taken such action against a practice which has been increasing in recent years and cost the sector over €60 million in payouts during 2016 .
Guardia Civil officers from Pollensa who detained the men last Friday have been investigating the problem for several months and finally detained the pair in the resort of Alcudia.
The suspects are alleged to have been contacting British holidaymakers as they left their hotels in the north of the island.
The targets were then put under pressure to make a false report, claiming that they had experienced food-poisoning from the food they were served, with the promise of a big compensation payout. They were urged to collect photographs of over-flowing rubbish bins as “evidence,” and to claim for pharmacy and health-centre treatments.
Once back in the UK, the tourists would be contacted by a legal firm ready to prepare their compensation claim in return for taking a percentage of the payout.
Police say they are now investigating whether the two people detained were acting alone or are part of an organised effort by legal firms to obtain millions by deception.
Further arrests on Mallorca have not been ruled out.