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New Unit to Tackle Surge in Digital Crime
The Mossos d'Esquadra have launched a dedicated Cyberintelligence Group to anticipate and combat the sharp rise in digital scams across Catalonia. This new unit, alongside the Central Unit for Cyber Scams and Technological Investigation (UCCIT), forms a core part of an upcoming Strategic Plan for the Fight Against Virtual Scams 2026–2028, which the Catalan government will approve on Tuesday 20 October 2026.
Cyber scams are now the second most reported crime in Catalonia, behind only theft, accounting for 14% of all complaints. Between January and August 2026, 53,577 cases were recorded, an average of 220 reports per day, resulting in €103 million in losses, according to Mossos data. Since early 2024, cumulative losses have reached nearly €490 million, with over 200,000 victims.
28 Active Investigations, €1.25m Recovered
The UCCIT, operational since 1 January 2026 and led by Commissioner Miquel Àngel Garcia Alvira under the General Directorate of Information Technologies and Communication, currently handles 28 open investigations. These efforts have led to €2.8 million being blocked, with €1.25 million recovered so far.
We need to anticipate criminal methods and strengthen prevention, because these organisations operate remotely and generate high profits that exceed our current response capacity.
The new Cyberintelligence Group will focus on forecasting threats by collecting and analysing data on cybercriminal actors, their techniques, and target profiles. This intelligence will help detect emerging scam patterns before they spread widely.
AI and Coordination to Improve Response
The Strategic Plan includes deploying artificial intelligence via the VIGILIA platform to enhance investigative capabilities. It also establishes faster information-sharing between the Mossos and the Catalan Cybersecurity Agency, led by Director General Laura Caballero, to link technological detection with police action.
From the second half of 2027, coordination will expand to include banks, mobile operators, and online marketplaces. A transversal commission with financial institutions, a working group with telecom operators, and periodic meetings with digital platforms are planned to improve real-time response and user protection.
Virtual Police Station Launching in November
To reduce unreported crime, the so-called 'hidden figure', the Mossos are finalising a Virtual Police Station, set to launch in November 2026. This online platform will allow citizens to file reports for cyber scams and payment fraud without visiting a physical station. It will be accessible via the Ministry of Home Affairs and Public Safety website.
An AI-powered assistant, available through the Catalan Cybersecurity Agency’s App Mossos d'Esquadra and via WhatsApp, will help users identify potential scams and get advice on digital security.
Fake Investments Cause Highest Financial Losses
While not the most common, fake investment scams cause the greatest financial damage. In the second quarter of 2026 alone, they resulted in over €14 million in losses. These frauds, often involving cryptocurrencies, disproportionately affect those aged 31 to 64. However, people over 65 are especially vulnerable to impersonation scams, fake bank alerts, and the 'fake relative' scam, where criminals claim a family member is in trouble.
All types of digital fraud are evolving rapidly, exploiting social engineering and platforms linked to concerts, holidays, rentals, and online sales. One emerging method, known as 'Bizum inversor', allows criminals to move money between individuals to obscure the trail of stolen funds.
Primary sources: interior.gencat.cat, mossos.gencat.cat, Dep. Interior Generalitat Catalunya. Reported by elnacional.cat, Guillem RS, cronicaglobal.elespanol.com, lavanguardia.com, fotos.europapress.es, elperiodico.com, El Nacional.
