Carer Arrested for Defrauding Elderly Couple of €115,000 in Spain

Mossos d'Esquadra officers arrested a 57-year-old woman in La Seu d'Urgell on Thursday on suspicion of two counts of fraud, identity usurpation, breach of trust, and theft. She allegedly defrauded an elderly couple, aged 89 and 92, of around €115,000 in cash along with jewellery, coins, and other valuables from their home. The suspect appeared before the duty investigating court in La Seu d'Urgell on Friday morning.

The couple, who are fully dependent and lack direct family oversight, hired her as a carer at the start of last summer. Due to their limited mobility, she gained unrestricted access to their residence and permission to manage their banking affairs.

The case came to light late last year when the 89-year-old woman, accompanied by a neighbour rather than her carer, visited her bank and spotted irregularities. These included ten unauthorised cash withdrawals totalling €4,800 from her account, a €50,200 transfer directly to the suspect's own account, and 107 withdrawals amounting to €59,180 from her husband's account. Investigators confirmed the carer had tampered with the passbook, erasing the first two digits of the transfer entry to disguise it as €200.

Police also documented missing jewellery, coins, and valuables from the property. The suspect had sold some items at local buy-sell shops in the Alt Urgell area, with transaction records still under review.

Authorities noted she exploited the victims' advanced age and isolation, including by submitting a falsified employment contract with a forged signature. Following the couple's complaint at La Seu d'Urgell police station, the probe culminated in her detention on Thursday.