Spanish triple murder unravels tragic tale of online romance scam

Spanish authorities are currently delving into the shocking triple murder of three elderly siblings, Amelia (67), Ángeles (74), and José Gutiérrez Ayuso (77), in Morata de Tajuña, southeast of Madrid.

The primary suspect, 42-year-old Dilawar Hussain F.C., a Pakistani national, voluntarily surrendered to the civil guard and has reportedly confessed to the heinous crimes.

The victims’ bodies, discovered last week, exhibited signs of partial burning, adding a gruesome dimension to the investigation. Preliminary findings indicate a connection between the murders and a financial debt incurred by the siblings, purportedly linked to an online scam in which the two sisters became entangled.

Amelia and Ángeles, as revealed by friends and neighbors, had engaged in protracted online relationships with individuals claiming to be US citizens. These fraudulent connections resulted in substantial financial losses for the sisters, who reportedly sent approximately €400,000 (£340,000) to an individual named “Edward,” supposedly a member of the US military, and an associate. Facebook served as a primary platform for communication in these ill-fated relationships.

Notably, José Gutiérrez Ayuso, who had a mental disability, remained uninvolved in the financial transactions related to the scam. The strain caused by these relationships pushed the sisters to seek financial assistance from local residents, informal lenders, and even local authorities, including the mayor and priest of Morata de Tajuña.

Dilawar Hussain’s connection to the victims emerged from his previous tenure as a lodger in their residence. According to the suspect, the sisters owed him a substantial sum, characterized as a high-interest loan, which they allegedly failed to repay. Hussain had a history of violence, having previously attacked Amelia on two occasions, with the second incident occurring in February 2023, resulting in a two-year jail sentence and a restraining order. However, he was released after serving seven months in September of the same year.

Authorities were alerted to the case when neighbors reported not having seen or heard from the siblings for several weeks. Enrique Velilla, a local acquaintance of the victims, disclosed that the financial toll of the online scam led the sisters to sell their Madrid property. Despite warnings from their bank and concerned friends about the potential scam, the sisters persisted in their belief, highlighting the tragic consequences of an online deception that claimed more than just financial losses.

In a poignant reflection on the victims, Velilla emphasized that Amelia, a teacher, and Ángeles, an educated individual, were not naive but rather ordinary people ensnared by the perils of fraudulent romance. The investigation continues, shedding light on the dark underbelly of online scams and the devastating impact they can have on unsuspecting individuals.