Five people have been arrested over a shocking kidnap-and-murder case in Mijas.
According to the Policia Nacional, the gang ambushed a couple on the street, shot the man in the leg and held them captive for hours in a bid to steal their cryptocurrency.
The attack, described by investigators as ‘planned, violent and highly organised’, began when a group of hooded men descended on the couple as they were walking in the Costa del Sol town.
According to the woman’s testimony, the attackers were armed with guns and dressed entirely in black, donning gloves and balaclavas.
She said they cornered the pair before her partner was shot in the leg when he attempted to flee.
Both victims were then forced into a vehicle and driven to a nearby property, where they were held for several hours, it is claimed.
During this time, detectives say the gang repeatedly tried to break into the couple’s digital wallets to access their crypto assets.
At around midnight, the woman was suddenly released, disorientated, terrified and unaware of her partner’s fate. She managed to contact authorities, triggering a full-scale investigation.
Hours later, the man’s body was discovered in a wooded area of Mijas. Police sources said he showed ‘clear signs of violence’ in addition to the gunshot wound he suffered during the abduction.
What followed was a fast-moving investigation involving multiple police forces. Officers carried out six raids across Madrid and Malaga, arresting five suspects and recovering key evidence.
The raids uncovered two handguns (one real, one a replica), an extendable baton, balaclava and blood-stained clothing.
Biological samples found on the clothing matched traces found in the house where the victims were held.
Multiple electronic devices and documents linked to the crime were also seized.
Police have also charged four additional individuals currently in Denmark, two of whom are already behind bars for similar offences.
The group is believed to have operated across borders and may be linked to other crypto-related crimes.
Police say the investigation remains open as they work to determine whether the gang is connected to other kidnappings or extortion attempts on the coast.
