By David Jackson
The Guardia Civil have arrested a man in Garrucha who allegedly rented non-existent apartments to 47 groups attending this year’s Dreambeach festival in Villaricos.
The 40-year-old from Barcelona was detained on Tuesday after several witnesses came forward on an appeal by police for information on the whereabouts of the suspected fraudster.
The homes were offered through online market places and used photos downloaded from real estate websites.
Potential renters were asked to transfer a deposit to a bank account to secure their rental.
Garrucha council stepped into help the bewildered youths, mainly aged between 18 and 21 years of age.
Mayor María López (PSOE) ordered that emergency beds be set up in the municipal sports hall to accommodate them, after the police station was over-run with complainants.
