Spanish Police Seize Crypto Wallets In Illegal Manga Raid

Spanish police have seized crypto cold wallets during a piracy investigation tied to what authorities called the largest illicit Spanish-language manga platform in the country.

Good to Know

• Police seized two cold wallets holding about €400,000.
• Three suspects were arrested in Almería.
• Authorities have not said whether they can access the funds.

Crypto Wallets Found Inside Wall Thermometer

Spanish police arrested three people in Almería after raiding an alleged illegal manga distribution platform that had operated since 2014.

The Interior Ministry said the site offered free access to pirated manga and generated most of its money through advertising. Over the past decade, authorities claim the platform brought in more than €4 million.

During the raid, officers found two crypto cold wallets hidden inside a wall thermometer. Police said the devices held around €400,000, or about $467,000.

The case also raises a practical question for investigators. Seizing a hardware wallet does not always mean police can control the crypto inside it. Authorities did not say whether they had the recovery phrase, PINs, or other credentials needed to access the funds.

The investigation began in June 2025 after rights holders filed complaints. The seizure shows how crypto storage devices now appear in cases far beyond crypto fraud, including digital piracy and copyright enforcement.