Darwin Grover Linares, known as ‘El Truhán’ (The Rogue), has been arrested in Ponferrada (León) after deceiving families by posing as a lawyer specializing in removing online bullying content. In just eight days, he obtained more than 5,000 euros.
At AntiScamNews we expose scammers so that no one else falls into their trap.
A familiar face in the scams
‘The Rogue’ has been arrested again.
His real name is Darwin Grover Linares, but his list of aliases is almost as long as his criminal record: Arturo, Miguel, Benjamín… and many more.
For years, he posed as a lawyer, consultant, or businessmanto deceive families and businesses throughout Spain.
Now, he has reoffended. Pretending to be an expert in the fight against cyberbullying, he offered to help parents of minors who were victims of school bullying remove harmful content from the internet and “close the cases” through a supposed legal firm that, in reality, did not exist.
The false fight against cyberbullying
The case began in September when a lawyer from León reported that an unknown individual was using his name and firm to contact families affected by school bullying.
This alleged expert claimed to be able to delete intimate photos and videosfrom social media and offer immediate legal assistance, charging upfront.
The con artist even used the identity of a real solicitor to lend credibility to his story.
Both professionals were unaware of the scheme: they had never worked with him, nor did they know their names being used to defraud the victims.
Through a digital platform, he contacted two familieswith minor children, promising them “a quick and confidential solution.”
He demanded an initial payment of €395 as a deposit.
In the following days, under various pretexts, he demanded more money: court fees, technical services, fictitious fees…
In just one week, he had accumulated more than €5,000.
Psychological deception
According to the investigation, Darwin Grover Linares exploited the emotional distress of parents.
He made them believe that every minute counted to stop the dissemination of material affecting their children. With a professional tone and convincing legal language, he generated both trust and a sense of urgency.
The transfers were made via instant payments and Bizum, and each conversation ended with a new request for money.
Their psychological manipulation was so effective that the victims, desperate to protect their children, ended up paying without suspecting anything.
The lawyer whose identity was stolen was able to recognize him after seeing a report by Equipo de Investigación (Investigation Team), where the con artist himself had given an interview some time ago.
Thanks to this testimony, the National Police were able to locate him.
Arrest in León
After weeks of tracking, agents found ‘El Truhán’ hiding in a house in the province of León, where he was arrested on October 9.
There were 22 arrest warrants against him issued by courts throughout the country.
He was brought before a judge as the alleged perpetrator of fraud and identity theft.
Authorities emphasized that his record reflects a pattern of repeated and manipulative criminal behavior.
His arrest represents a new attempt to curb a criminal career that, according to police sources, “restarts every time he regains his freedom.”
The con man with a thousand names
Darwin Grover Linares has traveled throughout Spain living a lie.
He impersonated lawyers, rented luxury homes without paying, left debts at hotels, nightclubs, and real estate agencies, and disappeared, leaving a trail of victims in his wake.
Police describe him as a pathological liar with a high capacity for manipulation, capable of believing his own lies.
In the words of one officer, “He always confesses to being a pathological liar, but he never stops defrauding people.”
His methods combine personal charm and opportunism: he gains trust, squanders other people’s money, surrounds himself with people, promises business deals or help… and when the circle closes, he disappears.
For years, his modus operandi was to defraud business owners and nightclub proprietors, even going so far as to leave an unpaid bill of €75,000 at a Madrid nightclub.
Now, however, he has shifted his focus of fraud to target the most vulnerable families.
A necessary warning
Cases like that of ‘El Truhán’remind us that scams take many forms, but they always feed on the same thing: trust.
Experts recommend being wary of anyone offering “quick and guaranteed solutions”to complex problems like cyberbullying.
No reputable professional will ask for urgent money or use someone else’s identity.
Before taking any action, you should verify the lawyer’s license, check their bar association number, and confirm the firm’s actual existence.
In the digital age, the greatest risk lies not in the network itself, but in those who promise to control it.
Conclusion
The case of Darwin Grover Linares, alias ‘El Truhán’ (The Rogue), reflects a con artist who has made lying his profession.
For years he has traveled to the country deceiving, manipulating, and disappearing, reinventing himself with each new victim.
Now, after his arrest, the authorities hope his history of deception will come to an end in court.