A nightmare instead of a "Hola"! The Spanish dream of Polish pensioners turns into a trap. Beware of the "fake hug" in Torrevieja!

Sunshine, the sound of the waves and warm-hearted, always smiling locals.... It is this idyllic image that attracts thousands of Polish retirees who buy their piece of paradise on the Costa Blanca with their life savings. But beware: behind this warm welcome may lie a merciless trap. In Torrevieja, the "Polish capital of Spain," daring criminals are mercilessly preying on the gullibility of senior citizens.

Deadly cordiality

Polish retirees often come to Spain with a deeply rooted myth: "Here people are just different - so open, warm and friendly!". We are used to the fact that in the south people often hug and greet each other effusively. And it is this enchantment with the Mediterranean lifestyle that is now being cynically exploited by thieves!

Think that nice, smiling stranger on the promenade is throwing herself around your neck out of innate Spanish hospitality? Wrong: before you have time to respond with a smile to her "hug," the golden souvenir disappears from your neck and your wallet from your pocket. This is the so-called "hug" (el abrazo) method that takes its toll on the coast.

An audacious attack in broad daylight!

Proof of how dangerous this false sympathy can be was given last Tuesday. In the middle of the day, around 1pm, shocking scenes unfolded near the Curva del Palangre, well-known among Poles.

A ruthless scammer approached an elderly person walking by. Taking advantage of a moment of inattention and the victim's trust in the "friendly Spaniards," she tenderly embraced her. She did this only to deftly snatch a gold chain from her neck in a split second! The criminals would probably have vanished into thin air had it not been for a vigilant witness who recorded the whole striking event with his cell phone.

Instant manhunt and ... shocking court decision!

Thanks to the footage, Spain's Guardia Civil (under the Senior Citizens' Safety Plan) immediately sprang into action. Exit roads from Torrevieja were blocked. Just a few minutes later, a patrol intercepted the fleeing car.

During a thorough search of the vehicle and the criminals, police officers found the stolen gold chain - it was hidden in the pants pocket of the brazen thief! Both she and her accomplice were immediately arrested.

But beware, here comes a brutal clash with Spanish reality: **the judge has decided to release both detainees with only precautionary measures! The criminals are back on the streets, and their fake smiles may tempt more trusting strollers.

We are looking for the victim! Was it a Pole?

There is another dramatic thread in this story. The Guardia Civil has the video of the theft, has the recovered gold chain, but.... doesn't know who the victim is! Could it have been a Polish pensioner, so stunned by the "Spanish cordiality" or embarrassed by the fact that he was so easily duped that he didn't even report the case to the police?

APPEAL TO READERS: Guardia Civil is asking for urgent help. If you are the victim, or know a senior citizen who returned from a walk in Torrevieja last Tuesday without a gold chain, immediately contact the Guardia Civil main station in Torrevieja at: 965 71 01 13.

Dear Polish seniors, enjoy the Spanish sunshine, but remember: not everyone who smiles at you has good intentions! Take off your rose-colored glasses and be careful about who you allow within arm's reach.