139 phones stolen at Primavera Sound: arrest in Barcelona
139 phones worth 150,000 euros were stolen at Primavera Sound. The suspect was arrested in Barcelona as he tried to flee to Romania. Reality or exaggeration?
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
139 phones and a bus to Romania: the Primavera Sound haul
How can a single man walk away with 139 mobile phones from a festival without being noticed? According to the police, the suspect was identified at Barcelona's bus station as he was about to board a vehicle bound for Romania. Officers noticed his nervousness and, upon searching his luggage, found the devices, valued at 150,000 euros. The haul came from thefts during Primavera Sound, one of the city's largest music festivals.
The average value per device (1,080 euros) has raised skepticism. Some analyses suggest the figure could be inflated, although the presence of high-end models — the most sought-after by pickpockets — could justify it. The fact is that, with 139 phones, the suspect could have set up a resale operation or even a bot farm, as has been pointed out in cybersecurity circles.
The man, of Romanian origin according to police sources, claimed he was a computer engineer transporting the devices to analyze their security. A version that, given the volume and the destination, failed to convince the officers. The investigation continues to determine whether he acted alone or was part of a wider network. For now, the entrepreneur — or thief — is in judicial custody. The courts will decide whether his plan was as clever as it was illegal.
How can a single man walk away with 139 mobile phones from a festival without being noticed? According to the police, the suspect was identified at Barcelona's bus station as he was about to board a vehicle bound for Romania. Officers noticed his nervousness and, upon searching his luggage, found the devices, valued at 150,000 euros. The haul came from thefts during Primavera Sound, one of the city's largest music festivals.
The average value per device (1,080 euros) has raised skepticism. Some analyses suggest the figure could be inflated, although the presence of high-end models — the most sought-after by pickpockets — could justify it. The fact is that, with 139 phones, the suspect could have set up a resale operation or even a bot farm, as has been pointed out in cybersecurity circles.
The man, of Romanian origin according to police sources, claimed he was a computer engineer transporting the devices to analyze their security. A version that, given the volume and the destination, failed to convince the officers. The investigation continues to determine whether he acted alone or was part of a wider network. For now, the entrepreneur — or thief — is in judicial custody. The courts will decide whether his plan was as clever as it was illegal.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (12 replies).
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