Alicante Police Thwart Major Fraud: Nigerian Man Tries to Scam 400,000 Euros via 'Money Washing' Scheme
Agents of Spain's National Police in Alicante have arrested a 58-year-old Nigerian citizen who nearly carried out a classic scam known as "timo wash-wash" (translated as "wash-wash"). Thanks to the victim's vigilance and swift police action, a loss of 400,000 euros was prevented.
It began when the suspect expressed interest in purchasing commercial premises in Alicante for over one million euros. To gain the owner's trust, he revealed a "family secret": allegedly, special chemicals could be used to "clean" blackened (painted) banknotes and multiply money.
During one meeting at the victim’s home, the fraudster demonstrated a trick: he took two genuine 50-euro notes from the victim, wrapped them with black paper in foil, treated them with "chemicals," and supposedly produced three times more real banknotes. He even gave one "cleaned" note to the victim to verify at a bank.
Having convinced the property owner, the swindler demanded 400,000 euros in cash (in 50, 100, 200, and 500 euro notes) to turn it into 1.1 million. He promised to complete the real estate deal only after this transaction.
The victim grew suspicious and reported the case to the police. Officers from the Criminal-Economic Unit confirmed it was a classic "wash-wash" scam, where the victim’s real money is replaced with fake bills or simply stolen, and the "chemicals" are just a deception.
Police set up an ambush. On the day of the money transfer, the suspect arrived with heightened caution but was arrested just as he prepared to conduct the "final treatment" in a nearby apartment under renovation. All chemicals, tools, and materials used for the scam were seized.
The suspect has been handed over to the court in Alicante on charges of attempted fraud. Thanks to the prompt report to authorities, the victim lost not a single cent.
Police warn: schemes involving "black dollars" or "money multiplication" are among the oldest forms of fraud, often used by Nigerian criminal groups. Never hand over large sums to strangers promising quick enrichment!
Publication date: December 15, 2025
Sources: PolicÃa Nacional, todoalicante.es, ABC.es, Información.es