“Wash-wash” scammer arrested

Guardia Civil agents have arrested a 45-year-old man who has allegedly conned victims out of almost €28,000 using the “black money” or “wash wash” scam.

The black money scam is a con trick in which the victim is shown bank notes that have been previously stained and told that a dye pack had exploded in a heist, or that the notes had been dyed to smuggle them from abroad. The scammer demonstrates how he can “wash” the notes, before asking for cash to buy chemicals. The victim is then left high-and-dry.

In reality, the few bank notes shown to the victim have been treated with glue to protect them before being dipped in iodine, which is washed off with vitamin C solution.