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The 'Defective Key' Trick: How a Hotel Thief Exploited Palma, Ibiza and Madrid

How the Hotel Room Scam Worked in Mallorca

A look at the hotel theft method reported in Mallorca, where a man allegedly posed as a guest to gain room access.

Published: April 22, 2026
The 'Defective Key' Trick: How a Hotel Thief Exploited Palma, Ibiza and Madrid

Answer

How does the hotel room scam in Mallorca work?

The suspect allegedly entered hotels posing as a regular guest and claimed there was a problem with the room key or safe. That gave him a reason to ask staff for access, while he took cash, cards, or valuables from the room. The pattern reported across Mallorca and other Spanish cities relied on confidence, speed, and busy hotel routines.

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