Tenerife Court Threatens Arrest for Fraud Suspect Over Surgery Excuse
A Santa Cruz de Tenerife court warned a man accused of serious fraud of potential temporary arrest after he failed to appear for trial, citing a brain surgery claim made months after the procedure.
A court in Santa Cruz de Tenerife has taken a strong stance against a man accused of serious fraud. He failed to show up for his trial, claiming he recently had brain surgery. The court, backed by the Public Prosecutor's Office, warned it might order his temporary arrest, considering the serious nature of the charges and the man's past record.
Reports indicate the accused told the court he couldn't attend his trial, set for yesterday, because he'd had a head operation that caused him to lose brain tissue. His lawyer presented this excuse just hours before the hearing, even though the lawyer had informed the court about the surgery the week before. The court, which had summoned the man last December, called his actions a "lack of respect" to everyone involved. They pointed out that the surgery happened in November, a month before he was officially summoned, and that the formal notice of his absence was sent late on the Friday before the trial. Because of this, he will be called back to court to explain why he wasn't there, with a warning that he could be temporarily arrested.
His failure to appear is part of a serious fraud case involving four victims. The Public Prosecutor's Office is asking for a four-year prison sentence for the man, a 2,700 euro fine, and for him to pay back about 3,000 euros to the victims, plus an extra 500 euros each for emotional distress. Prosecutors say the man, who lives in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, used an online platform to advertise two properties for rent that he didn't actually own or have access to. The victims, living in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, sent him advance bank transfers as deposits. The accused kept this money without providing the properties or returning their funds.
One victim transferred 900 euros after first contacting him on WhatsApp. The true owner of the WhatsApp account hasn't been identified. Another victim paid 1,440 euros under the same false pretenses, never getting access to the property or their money back. Two other people were also scammed in the same way. Investigations showed that the bank account where the money was sent had been opened in person by the accused in Gran Canaria's capital city.