Warning to Brits going to Spain as new scam can see police confiscate your beach umbrella!

Police in Spain have launched another onslaught against the latest beach scam affecting tourists, including unsuspecting Brits.

They say sunbathers on one of the country’s most famous beaches are falling prey to ‘unlicensed beach umbrellas’ which are now being confiscated.

Crafty crooks, described by some of their victims as ‘mafia’, are homing in on La Malagueta beach in Malaga and there are fears the con could spread to other resorts.

Gangs are simply popping into souvenir shops or bazaars to snap up bargain sun umbrellas. 

They then take them to the beach, find tourists who are sitting in the blazing sun and then selling the rogue umbrellas for around £10 for a few hours of use.

Bathers seen sunbathing at Malagueta beach during a hot summer day in Malaga

The holidaymakers have no idea that the sellers aren’t part of the beach franchise service and willingly pay up.

Unfortunately for them, the police know better and then come along and confiscate them.

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

So far, two illegal vendors have been arrested and face a fine of 300 euros.

However, it’s estimated that the gangs are earning about 300 euros a day as sunbathers might only stay on the beach for a few hours. When they leave, the illegal vendors move in, remove the umbrellas and rent them to someone else.

‘The street vendors take over public land to do business with tourists. Between 10.30am and 11am in the morning, bathers watch as they begin to simultaneously place umbrellas in an area that covers about 15 metres. 

‘After this, they start the first contacts with foreigners – with them, they can earn about 300 euros net per day,’ says Spanish newspaper Malagahoy.es.

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

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

Panoramic view of 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 for the guarantee of citizen coexistence and the protection of urban space in Malaga, by carrying out activities or providing services in public spaces without being authorised to do so.

Last month, the city council warned about gangs making and selling mojitos on the beach which, they warned, is illegal and a potential health hazard because of unclear utensils and conditions. 

Five people were arrested in just one day.

Unauthorised street vending of food products on the coast constitutes a serious infringement of the Beach Ordinance of Malaga city council, which carries a fine ranging from 300 to 3,000 euros. 

The exact amount is determined based on the repeat offence and intention of the perpetrator; and the greater or lesser disturbance caused by the infringement to the environment and/or users.

Police have now substantially increased their patrols of the beach areas and more officers enlisted.