Tenerife Tablet scam - update

On the programme on Friday 15 May 2026, we reported on the latest in a major Spanish police investigation after hundreds of holidaymakers in the Canary Islands were enticed into seafront shops and sold cheap smart tablets, but later discovered far larger amounts were taken from their bank accounts.

Tourists were targeted in shops primarily in popular resorts across Tenerife, in a scam that is estimated to have cost victims millions of pounds.

Since the police investigation began, around 3,000 victims have come forward and an international arrest warrant is reported to have been issued for the owner of a business where a large number of these fraudulent transactions were made.

Spanish police are preparing the case for court, and anyone who believes they have been affected by the scam is encouraged to report it by emailing sctenerife.bppjudef@policia.es.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) also has a guide on Reporting a crime abroad and getting help, which includes advice on understanding the local police customs and how to report crimes.