Warning to Brits travelling to Spain: New scam could see police confiscate your parasol!

Spanish police have launched a fresh crackdown on the latest beach scam involving tourists, including unsuspecting Britons.

They say sunbathers on one of the country’s most famous beaches are being targeted by “unlicensed beach umbrellas” which are now being confiscated.

Sly con artists, dubbed the ‘mafia’ by some victims, are operating on Malaga’s La Malagueta beach and there are fears the scam will spread to other resorts.

Gangs simply go to souvenir shops or bazaars to score cheap umbrellas.

They then take the parasols to the beach where they seek out tourists sitting in the blazing sun and then sell the parasols for around £10 so they can be used for a few hours.

Beachgoers sunbathe on Malagueta Beach on a hot summer day in Malaga

The holidaymakers have no idea that the sellers are not part of the beach franchise service and are happy to pay.

Unfortunately for them, the police know better, and they are subsequently confiscated.

In one day, more than 20 umbrellas were confiscated and ‘taken into custody’.

So far, two illegal vendors have been arrested and fined 300 euros.

However, it is estimated that the gangs earn around 300 euros per day, as sunbathers may only stay on the beach for a few hours. When they leave, the illegal vendors come in, take the umbrellas away and rent them to someone else.

‘The street vendors take over public land to do business with tourists. Between 10:30 and 11:00 in the morning, beachgoers watch as they simultaneously begin to place umbrellas in an area that covers about 15 meters.

“Then they make their first contacts with foreigners. With them they can earn about 300 euros net per day,” according to the Spanish newspaper Malagahoy.es.

‘Once the illegal umbrellas are intercepted, the police impose a fine on those responsible, which in many cases they do not pay.

‘And with the same intention they return to the beach to offer them again.’

Panoramic view of the Malagueta beach in Malaga

A general view of people spending time at La Malagueta beach during a hot summer day in Malaga

The two parasol sellers identified by investigators in recent days are accused of violating the ordinance guaranteeing coexistence between citizens and the protection of urban space in Malaga. They are said to have carried out activities or provided services in public spaces without permission.

Last month, the city council warned of gangs making and selling mojitos on the beach, warning that it is illegal and poses a potential health risk due to the unclear utensils and conditions.

Five people were arrested in one day.

The illegal sale of food on the coast is a serious offence under the Malaga City Council Beach Regulations, with fines ranging from 300 to 3,000 euros.

The exact amount is determined on the basis of the degree of recidivism and the intention of the offender, and the extent to which the violation causes nuisance to the environment and/or users.

The police have now significantly increased their patrols on the beaches and more officers have been deployed.