British men ‘staged fake kidnapping to extend their holiday in Spain’

Two British men holidaying in Benidorm are facing serious consequences after allegedly staging a fake kidnap in a bid to prolong their stay and squeeze more money from home.

The men, aged 37 and 51, reportedly sent relatives a disturbing video showing one of them threatening his blood-covered friend with a knife, demanding a £725 ransom and warning he would be killed if the money was not paid.

Spanish police mobilised hostage negotiators and launched a major operation at the unnamed hotel where the pair were staying. But as officers prepared to raid the property, they spotted the supposed victim casually walking out of the resort alongside his alleged captor, the two “chatting in a relaxed and amicable way,” according to a police spokesperson.

Authorities say the scale of the response was significant. “All police resources available in Benidorm were mobilised to prevent the victim suffering any harm given the apparent severity of the situation,” an Alicante police spokesperson said. “A police unit with officers based in Madrid who specialised in dealing with kidnaps and extortion were also mobilised.”

Investigators quickly concluded the incident had been fabricated. “It soon became apparent the kidnap had been staged with the aim of earning quick cash and both were arrested on suspicion of simulating a crime and for fraud,” the spokesperson added.

The situation worsened for the pair when officers discovered that the alleged kidnapper had used a false name when checking into the hotel and again when identifying himself to police. “He was subsequently read his rights for another suspected crime of identity fraud,” the spokesperson said.

The men now face potential prison sentences and a substantial compensation claim for the extensive police resources deployed in response to what authorities describe as a staged and fraudulent emergency.