ISSUE NO. 1643
29 Dec 2016 - 4 Jan 2017
COSTA DE ALMERÍA
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YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION
THE BEST OF THE YEAR 2016 SEE PAGES 8 - 21
Fake kidnap alert Elderly succumb to virtual family scam By Matthew Elliott Detectives across Almeria are investigating an alarming rise in the number of virtual kidnappings. Residents are advised to beware of scam artists who pretend that family members are in dire trouble and need money transferred abroad. The fraudsters target a particular person, usually elderly citizens, and find out the names and addresses of their close relatives. They then call their target and shout the names of loved ones down the phone, mentioning Mexico or other places, and urge them to send money. Their family member is said to be in trouble with border police or some other obstacle and in need of a wire transfer to help
them get home. By the time the victim realises none of it was true, the money has vanished into a foreign bank account. Provincial police in Almeria are currently investigating two cases where local residents were scammed out of €1,500 each. They transferred
the money through Western Union and MoneyGram to help allegedly distressed loved ones. It is a popular scam and Almeria police are trying to raise awareness among the local community to prevent anyone else falling victim to it. As well as the financial loss, the targets
have also been psychologically impacted as they fear for their loved ones’ safety. Elderly residents in particular have been marked out as potential victims. Police are also advising people to beef up their online security. The criminals typically gain personal information on family members simply by viewing social media accounts such as Facebook, where personal data is often visible to all and sundry. Detectives emphasise the scammers are extremely convincing and may provide a startling level of seemingly private information. They advise anyone receiving such calls to contact police immediately and before transferring any funds.
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Eco-shame A CYCLIST who has been biking through Spain to raise environmental awareness says he has been shocked by some of the attitudes encountered on his travels through the south of the country. Former carpenter, Martin Hutchinson, 55, believes the attitude of some of those who live on the coast is “absolutely appalling.” See page 2
Jingle jackpots LADY LUCK smiled on Almeria again this year with thousands of euros from El Gordo, the Christmas state draw, won in the province. Although the first prize, which was sold last year in
Roquetas de Mar, went elsewhere, tickets bearing the second prize number, 04536, were sold in Tijola (two), Fiñana, Vera, Balanegra and Albox. See page 4
Off the rails ALMERIA, by Renfe rail company’s own standards, has become the most distant land from the Spanish capital city due to a lack of progress on promised high-speed tracks. The dubious
privilege was previously held by Pontevedra and Lugo, both almost seven hours away from the capital by train, but passed to Almeria in 2016. See page 5
In the red THE average price for red prawns at the Garrucha fish market reached a maximum high in December of €58.68 per kilo, €13.95 higher than in November. The price, according to a report from the Agriculture and Fishing Board, was also €3.28 higher than in December 2015. See page 5
Shameless lover VIRTUAL SCAMMERS: Are particularly targeting the elderly leaving them in a state of fear for loved ones.
A WOMAN, 23, has been arrested for allegedly stealing €10,500 worth of jewellery from her boyfriend’s mother and sister. The National Police began investigations when an Almerian woman reported that 16 pieces of valuable jewellery had gone missing from her home but there was no sign of a break-in. See page 6