Spain warns UK tourists face losing £4,620 each as police step in The warning comes after police in Alicante arrested a man accused of stealing more than €5,400 (£4,620) using a distraction technique known as “sowing”. The warning comes after police in Alicante arrested a man accused of stealing more than €5,400 (£4,620) using a distraction technique known as “sowing”. Tourists heading to Spain have been warned to stay alert when withdrawing money from cash machines. The warning comes after police in Alicante arrested a man accused of stealing more than €5,400 (£4,620) using a distraction technique known as “sowing”. The National Police have arrested a 24-year-old man in Alicante, suspecting him of being the perpetrator of six robberies that occurred at ATMs located at various banks in the city. ‌ The perpetrator approached individuals between the ages of 54 and 82 as they proceeded to use the ATM. He took advantage of the moment they entered their PIN to approach and distract them, using the terminal and withdrawing the maximum amount possible, typically 900 euros. Article continues below READ MORE Drivers urged to follow one unwritten rule that'll save them £9,000 The perpetrator was identified as a result of the investigation conducted by agents of the Judicial Police Group. He was a young man who was notorious for his illicit activities. ‌ The suspected offender was picked up by the National Police in Alicante, where they also seized a bunch of clothing linked to three of the cases they were investigating. The outfits matched those worn during several of the incidents, helping to tie him to the crimes. Turns out, this wasn’t his first run-in with the law—far from it. Over the last eight months alone, he’s been arrested 29 times by different police forces. Most of those arrests were related to burglary, fraud, violent robbery, and a few other serious offenses. After his latest arrest in Alicante, he was brought before the local duty court. He’s now facing charges of theft and fraud, with the added weight of having used violence and intimidation in the process. Article continues below The National Police urges citizens, particularly seniors, as well as UK tourists, to exercise caution when using ATMs or cashpoints in the European Union holiday hotspot as spring and summer continue.