Lorraine Williamson
A Benidorm fake kidnapping plot has ended with two British men arrested — but the most striking detail is how quickly the case escalated into a full-scale police operation.
According to Spain’s National Police, the men, aged 37 and 51, allegedly sent a UK-based relative a series of messages and videos showing one of them bloodied while the other threatened him with a knife. The demand was immediate: pay €830 for his “release”.
How a holiday scam turned into an international alert
The case began outside Spain. The relative reportedly contacted UK authorities, and the alert was passed through Interpol, triggering urgent action in Benidorm.
From there, the response widened fast. Officers treated it as a credible kidnapping threat, and specialist support was requested from the national police’s kidnapping and extortion unit. Local reporting says other investigations were paused so resources could be redirected to what looked like a life-at-risk emergency.
The moment police say the story unravelled
Police traced the men to a hotel in Benidorm and set up discreet surveillance. The alleged plot collapsed, officers say, when the pair were seen leaving the hotel together, apparently relaxed and on friendly terms — not behaving like kidnapper and victim.
Both were arrested. They face accusations of simulating a crime and fraud, and one of them is also accused of identity fraud after allegedly using a false name.
Why this matters beyond one bizarre case
Benidorm is used to drunken rows, lost passports, and petty theft. A staged kidnapping is different because it can pull in multiple agencies across borders and consume huge police resources for hours.
It is also a reminder of how emotionally effective these tactics are. A short video clip, a demand for immediate payment, and a threat of violence can override common sense — especially for relatives watching from the UK, unable to verify what is happening on the ground.
If you get a message like this: what experts advise
Police forces across Europe have long urged families to treat “urgent ransom” messages with caution, even when they look convincing. If a relative receives a claim that someone has been kidnapped or held, the safest first step is to contact the police immediately and avoid making rushed payments until authorities can verify facts and location. This Benidorm case shows why: what looks like a crisis can be a pressure tactic designed to make you act before thinking.