In Brief
In Figueres, a control of a Fiat Panda Hybrid allowed the Mossos d’Esquadra to dismantle a broad international trafficking network of stolen luxury cars. The investigation, which began with a simple administrative check, led to the discovery of an organized operation involving prestigious models such as Maserati, Porsche, and Range Rover. Nine vehicles, with a total value of 640,000 euros, were identified as stolen from several European countries before being sold in Spain. A man is charged with falsification, fraud, and money laundering. The case highlights the ingenuity and scale of trafficking networks targeting the European luxury car market.
A small city car that brings down priceless supercars. This is the very real story of a Fiat Panda Hybrid checked in Figueres, half an hour from Perpignan, which allowed the Mossos d’Esquadra to trace an international trafficking of luxury cars worth 640,000 euros. At the end of the chain are names familiar to enthusiasts: Maserati, Porsche, Range Rover, but also two Harley-Davidsons.
The case began discreetly in July 2025, far from the sensational headlines. The Mossos’ Documentation Research Group of the Mobility General Commission first spotted irregularities in the registration file of a Italian SUV, a Maserati Levante Modena imported from Italy. The vehicle turned out to be stolen, the fraudsters attempted to register it with fake papers, and it had already been sold to a dealer in the Valencia region. And yet, it was only a few months later, with the Fiat Panda Hybrid file in Figueres, that the investigation really shifted to a broader dimension.
From Maserati Levante Modena to Fiat Panda Hybrid, an Investigation That Takes a Turn in Figueres
Everything starts in July 2025 with an isolated case. Mossos’ documentation specialists examine the dossier of a Maserati Levante Modena imported, and notice something off with the registration documents. Checks show the luxury SUV was stolen, and the papers used to try to legitimize it in Spain are forged. The vehicle had already changed hands, having been sold to a professional in the Valencia area, which already suggests a structured operation rather than a one-off scam.
A few months later, another file catches their attention, this time for a seemingly ordinary car: a Fiat Panda Hybrid spotted in Figueres, about thirty minutes south of Perpignan. There again, Catalan police detect irregularities in the registration dossier. The same montage, the same inconsistencies in the documents. This cross-referencing convinces investigators that they are probably following a thread of a trafficking network far larger than these two vehicles.
Maserati, Porsche, Range Rover: an International Luxury Car Trafficking Ring Unmasked
Starting from this Fiat Panda Hybrid in Figueres, the probe accelerates significantly. The Mossos broaden their checks and eventually recover seven additional vehicles, located “in the four corners of Catalonia, Galicia, and near Valencia,” according to local media. Among them are “four Porsche Carrera 4 GTS, a Range Rover Sport SVR, and two Harley-Davidson motorcycles,” the Catalan outlet Diari de Girona reports. Adding the Maserati Levante Modena and the Fiat Panda Hybrid, the total stands at nine vehicles with an estimated value of 640,000 euros.
Investigations show these luxury cars were previously stolen in several European countries—Denmark, France, and Italy—before being laundered and resold in Spain. The same investigation also reveals a false report of a Porsche 911 theft in Sant Feliu de Guixols, in Catalonia. By presenting a fake spare key, the scammers aimed to obtain an insurance payout, adding another layer of fraud to an already highly organized operation. A 51-year-old man is now charged with document falsification, receipt of stolen vehicles, fraud, and money laundering. This case, born from a simple city hatchback checked near the French border, highlights the scale of networks targeting luxury cars across Europe.
Comparative Table
| Vehicle | Quantity | Total Estimated Value | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche Carrera 4 GTS | 4 | 640,000 euros (total 9 vehicles) | Denmark, France, Italy |
| Maserati Levante Modena | 1 | Denmark, France, Italy | |
| Range Rover Sport SVR | 1 | Denmark, France, Italy | |
| Harley-Davidson | 2 | Denmark, France, Italy | |
| Fiat Panda Hybrid | 1 | Denmark, France, Italy |
Key Takeaways
- The seizure of a Fiat Panda Hybrid in Figueres led to the unraveling of an international luxury-car trafficking network.
- Nine vehicles, including Maserati, Porsche, Range Rover, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles, were recovered with a total value of 640,000 euros.
- The stolen cars originated from several European countries, principally Denmark, France, and Italy.
- Fraudulent papers were used to try to legitimize the stolen cars in Spain.
- A false theft report was aimed at obtaining a counterfeit insurance payout.
- A 51-year-old man is charged with falsification, receiving stolen vehicles, fraud, and money laundering.
FAQ
How did the investigation into the luxury-car trafficking begin?
The case began after a Fiat Panda Hybrid was checked in Figueres, revealing irregularities in its registration file.
What types of vehicles were involved in this trafficking?
Luxury models such as Maserati Levante Modena, Porsche Carrera 4 GTS, Range Rover Sport SVR, and two Harley-Davidson motorcycles were identified.
How many vehicles were seized in this case?
Nine vehicles were recovered, with a total estimated value of 640,000 euros.
Where did the stolen cars come from?
The luxury cars had been stolen in several European countries, notably Denmark, France, and Italy.
What offenses are alleged against the main suspect?
He is charged with document falsification, receipt of stolen vehicles, fraud, and money laundering.
