Where is your money now?
While perhaps not the most politically correct headline for a thread this is a very interesting and informative post which many people who live in Spain or visit Spain on a regular basis will be able to relate to. Unfortunately, it appears as though many English-speaking con artists are still operating in Spain with victims aplenty!
Background to the thread
The thread has been started by a forum member who spent two years in Spain himself and managed to avoid the English-speaking con artists but he is concerned that his elderly parents are moving to Spain and may encounter such people. While no names are mentioned there are a number of scenarios described in the thread which too many people will be able to relate to!
While the thread specifically mentions English-speaking fraudsters and con artists it is worth mentioning that the common schemes used to trick people out of money are also commonplace among Spanish nationals and other people in the country. The problem with English-speaking con artists is the fact that English-speaking visitors and expats will automatically have a higher degree of trust when hearing an English accent and may well let their guard down.
Common frauds to look out for
There are many common scams and frauds which appear to happen on an everyday basis in Spain which include:-
Second hand car fraud
While this particular scam seems to be happening all around the world there have been many instances of “ringers” sold as second-hand cars in Spain. For those not aware of the term “ringer” this is where two cars, possibly cars which had been involved in an accident, are welded together to create a one “normal looking car”. Very often this will see the undamaged half of each car welded together and sold as a standard motor vehicle.
Aside from the fact this is illegal there are also obvious safety issues as many of these cars have been known to literally split in two under normal driving conditions with many passengers and drivers seriously injured or worse. If you’re buying a second-hand car you need to check for signs of welding and in many cases it may be sensible to take along an experienced mechanic or car expert.
Lazy gardeners
There was one particular post on the thread which details how an English-speaking gardener had been hired for four hours work but assuming the owner of the property was out in the afternoon proceeded to do two hours work and spend the remaining two hours in his car. However, in this particular instance the owner was still in the property and had been watching the gardener in his car for two hours. She then blew his cover when he attempted to charge for four hours work and eventually he left without payment.
Electrical repairs
This seems to be very common scam in Spain whereby electricians are called to fix satellite dishes, videos and other electronic equipment, charge exorbitant fees only for the client to find out the new equipment is faulty or the problem has not been resolved. In many cases the electricians will return to the property and pin the blame on your “faulty equipment” and then proceed to charge even more to fix the problem “again”.
Property scams
Timeshare apartments which do not exist, or are overvalued, new developments which are never finished and the like are property scams common in Spain. English-Speaking salespeople are often used to attract English-speaking tourists and expats into transactions which could leave them financially ruined or significantly out of pocket.
While the regulatory system has changed substantially over the last few years many people still seem to fall under the magic spell of these crooks and we hear terrible stories of retired people losing their savings and being left penniless.
The helpful stranger
Unfortunately many people who move to Spain for their new life they will come across the “helpful stranger” who will try to befriend them, help them and ultimately steal from them or worse. As we mentioned above, many English-speaking people who move to Spain are often more trusting toward other English-speaking people and have been known to let their guard down. These people are confidence crooks and will try to ingratiate themselves into your life, offer assistance and generally make a pest of themselves with ladies in particular a target of these con artists.
Solicitors and advisers
If you’re moving to Spain you are likely to need the services of a solicitor or professional adviser at some point. Unfortunately, with money often tight a number of expats have been known to go for the cheaper option which can ultimately cost them dearly. At the end of the day you get what you pay for and if you try to cut corners with regards to professional advisers and solicitors then you really are putting yourself in the lap of the gods.
One of the best ways to find a reputable professional adviser is by a referral from a friend or known acquaintance that you trust. However, if you are not in a position to have an adviser referred to you then you will need to do your own homework on the Internet and in the local press to see who has a good reputation.
Why are English-speaking con artists being singled out?
The reason why English-speaking fraudsters are being singled out in this particular post is the fact that instantly many English-speaking people will drop their guard and have a high trust level in people from their own country. This is how many of the fraudsters and con artists get your confidence, lead you up the garden path and then ultimately put their plans into action – whatever these may be.
Conclusion
Where possible, when you are looking for an electrician, a handyman, a second-hand car or a new property you should use people referred to you by friends and colleagues. If this is not possible then you will need to do your own homework using the Internet and local newspapers to find out who is trustworthy and who offers good value for money. Attempting to cut costs or going with the first person you see in the newspaper or on the Internet could prove very costly.
For those who also come across “unbeatable” investment opportunities you need to remember that the best investment ideas will not fall into your lap so if you come across a complete stranger promising you the earth then walk away as quickly as possible!
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Not to mention the person who moves over there and sets themselves up as a ‘legal Estate agent’ who has the gift of the gab’ and convinces people to buy a ‘totally legal house’
The owner then finds out there is no legal paperwork at all, he owns nothing and has lost his life savings, house and dreams!…’Beware the English estate agent’
Especially the one operating in Morocco and Costa Del Sol….
wrote about these scum before called them judas goats, also don,t take all the advice you get on forums because there alive and well on those as well i got remonstrated with on here before for suggesting as such,and that some forums had within them a mutual appreciation society for dodgy estate agents geometras and the rest of the bottom feeders preying on the vulnerable. best advice i can give is take……..your……….time!!!!! check everyone!!!!! and believe no one untill you can swear on a bible your self that its true!!! remember at all times caveat emtor(buyer beware) lose your money in haste you,ll have to repent at your leisure with pain instead of pleasure!!!!!!! i hope this saves someone some grief……best regards…mountie
If you are moving to the Valencia area and have bought a house of a cetain estate agent/builder, please be warned he has done a runner and we were caught up in the con, We bought in November 08, moved out here in Jan 09, expecting the build to be finished AND legal by 3rd week in Jan, Now July 09 we are still finishing the work as a certian builder took the money, didn’t do the work and ‘legged it’. I don’t know if i can mention names here so am not but i know of at least 5 people this has happened to. Not just this estate agent builder but dodgy solicitors, notarys and also a website w=which advertises this builders properties
Be warned and be carefull.
Oh my goodness! I have dreamed or living in Spain for such a long time. Now the prospect of looking for somewhere to live, not knowing who is honest and who is crooked, as reguards estate agents, car Dealerships etc, scares me to death. thank you very much for making me aware. I must say I dont look at the world through rose coloured spectacles, but I was a little shocked to realise the extent of unfortunate experiences.
Hi, though I am not from Spain, I would like to clarify that these examples happen almost all over the world. I moved to India two years ago and we know countless of horror stories from foreigners ripped off here big time; jeez.. wouldn’t know where to start. From a German couple that was paying double the rent for their flat to the technician that wanted to charge me an exorbitant amount for “replacing the motor and other technical parts” of my A/C unit when he only had to replace the outlet plug.
In the UK, we are all aware of the scams, gazumping, poor repairs, and the general small time scum that will take your money. The English are famous around the world for this, along with not tipping. This is why so many people that go to Europe, Canada, USA, Australia etc. do not want to live in an English community or in fact want to have anything to do with Brit Expats. My advice would be to be use local people who have a local good reputation, put your money into the local community. You will be well received and appreciated. Steer clear of the Xpats. Very few know what they are doing and all they are interested in is your money. They have no reputations to protect so what do they care if they have unhappy customers.