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Scams in Spain: what to watch for right now

A plain summary of the scams official agencies in Spain warn about most, with the latest published figures and the fastest way to get help.

By the TapSafely editorial teamUpdated

The numbers

Spain recorded 429,677 online fraud offences in 2025, up 4% on 2024 and almost nine in ten of the 488,426 cybercrimes recorded.

Ministerio del Interior, Government of Spain

INCIBE handled 122,223 cybersecurity incidents in 2025. Online fraud made up 45,445 of them, led by phishing with 25,133 cases.

INCIBE (Spanish National Cybersecurity Institute)

INCIBE's 017 cybersecurity helpline answered 142,767 queries in 2025, 44.9% more than in 2024.

INCIBE (Spanish National Cybersecurity Institute)

Scams to watch for in Spain

Common in Spain

Fake bank employee calls

In September 2025 the Policía Nacional broke up a gang that called people posing as bank staff, warned of suspicious account activity and got them to share banking codes, harming 273 victims.

How to spot it
Common in Spain

Fake Correos and parcel texts

INCIBE has repeatedly warned about SMS messages posing as Correos and other parcel firms that claim a delivery problem and ask for personal data, card details and SMS codes.

How to spot it
Common in Spain

Fake DGT traffic fines

INCIBE warned in 2025 about emails and texts posing as the DGT that offer a discount for paying a fine quickly and lead to a fake site that asks for card details, SMS codes and your PIN.

How to spot it
Common in Spain

Hi mum, this is my new number

INCIBE warned in May 2025 about texts from people posing as a son or daughter with a broken phone, who move the chat to WhatsApp and ask for money by bank transfer or Bizum.

How to spot it
Common in Spain

Crypto investment ads with deepfakes

In April 2025 Spanish police arrested six people accused of taking more than 19 million euros from 208 victims using fake crypto ads and AI videos of well-known Spanish figures, then posing as Europol agents to demand more money.

How to spot it

Who scammers pretend to be

BanksCorreos and parcel companiesDGT (traffic authority)Sons and daughtersWell-known Spanish public figuresEuropol

Never trust a call, text or email just because it uses one of these names. Contact the organisation using details you find yourself.

If you've been scammed in Spain

  1. Contact your bank straight away through its official number to block cards and try to stop the payment.
  2. Call INCIBE's free 017 helpline (8am to 11pm, every day) or message it on WhatsApp at 900 116 117 for advice.
  3. Report the crime (denuncia) to the Policía Nacional or the Guardia Civil, with screenshots, messages and bank records.
  4. Before investing, check the CNMV warnings list at cnmv.es.

Where to report a scam in Spain

Reviewed 2026-09-16. Services change, so check the official site if a link doesn't work.

Scam Weather for Spain

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Questions

What are the most common scams in Spain?

According to official sources: Fake bank employee calls, Fake Correos and parcel texts, Fake DGT traffic fines, Hi mum, this is my new number, Crypto investment ads with deepfakes.

What should I do first if I've been scammed in Spain?

Contact your bank straight away through its official number to block cards and try to stop the payment. Call INCIBE's free 017 helpline (8am to 11pm, every day) or message it on WhatsApp at 900 116 117 for advice.

Who do scammers pretend to be in Spain?

Official warnings mention Banks, Correos and parcel companies, DGT (traffic authority), Sons and daughters, Well-known Spanish public figures, Europol.

Official sources and further reading

Figures and warnings on this page come from these official sources.