Gran Canaria Teen Among Two Arrested in Major Data Leak Targeting Spanish Officials and Press

Spanish authorities have arrested two individuals accused of leaking sensitive personal data belonging to high-ranking government officials and journalists, in what officials are calling a serious threat to national security.

 

The main suspect, 19-year-old computer science student Yoel OQ, was detained at his family home in Gran Canaria. His alleged accomplice, identified as Cristian Ezequiel SM, was also taken into custody, according to Spanish police.

 

The Interior Ministry said the leaked data included phone numbers, ID numbers, addresses and email credentials of senior public figures, among them Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Congress President Francina Armengol, and Catalan President Salvador Illa.

 

Investigators allege the pair sold access to stolen data and digital tools used to obtain it, accepting payments in cryptocurrency to avoid detection. They were reportedly active in far-right Telegram groups, some with more than 90,000 followers, where data dumps were posted in June.

 

Among the leaks were personal details of individuals linked to Spain’s high-profile "Koldo case" — a corruption investigation into illegal commissions on COVID-19 mask contracts.

 

Police described the arrests as a major step in countering cyber threats aimed at destabilising state institutions. Both suspects were transferred to Madrid and are under investigation by the National Court for alleged cyberterrorism, terrorism, and other offences linked to political intimidation.

 

One suspect’s lawyer has denied the allegations, stating his client had no involvement in the leaks.

 

During the arrests, officers seized substantial computer equipment for forensic analysis.

 

Separately, Spanish police announced the arrest of five people in connection with a $542 million international cryptocurrency fraud scheme. Authorities say the suspects laundered money through shell companies and fake crypto platforms, defrauding over 5,000 victims worldwide.