A British couple on holiday in Spain were robbed of thousands of pounds of wedding cash, their rings, and a treasured family heirloom from their apartment. Mario Kluczek, 35, and his wife Eliann, 31, had saved for 18 months for their dream wedding in Malaga, but just hours into their holiday, they returned from the beach to discover the items had vanished.
Discovery of the Theft
Mario, from Liverpool, said: "We were shocked. I didn't even know what to say. We started crying and then we rang the Spanish police." The couple had arrived in Malaga on June 20, choosing the city as their wedding destination after several previous holidays there. The next morning, they left their apartment at around 11:30 am to spend a few hours on the beach, returning at 3:30 pm to get ready to meet Eliann's family.
Mario first realized something was wrong when his wife couldn't find her engagement ring after taking it off for the beach. Initially thinking it was misplaced, he checked the backpack where he had been keeping the couple's wedding fund. The cash had disappeared along with both wedding rings.
Details of the Burglary
The couple later realized someone had cut through the padlock on a piece of luggage with a knife, removed valuables, and then carefully put everything back exactly as it had been. Among the missing items was a necklace Mario's 80-year-old grandmother had given him for his communion 25 years ago. Mario said: "The necklace was priceless. I've had it for 25 years. I'm very close with my nan. I never took that necklace off. It was only to go to the beach. I can always make more money, but things like the engagement rings and the necklace from my nan are priceless to me."
Approximately €10,000 in cash was stolen, along with engagement and wedding rings worth more than £1,000. His ring cost £850, while Eliann's cost £450. There were no signs of forced entry, leading Mario to suspect someone already knew the pin code.
Police Response and Investigation
Spanish police attended the scene and directed the couple to make a formal report at the city's main police station. Officers warned there was little chance of recovering the cash and told them burglaries targeting tourists are common during the summer months. Booking.com, which the couple used to arrange the apartment, said: "The safety and security of our customers is a top priority. We are sorry to hear about this incident. As soon as we were made aware, we launched an internal review into the matter. Any suspicion of criminal activity should be reported to the local police, who are best placed to investigate. We are cooperating with their enquiries where appropriate."
Wedding Goes Ahead Despite Setback
With guests already traveling from around the world for the ceremony, canceling the wedding was never an option. Instead, the couple borrowed around the same amount that had been stolen from friends and family to pay for the venue, DJ, catering, and other costs. Mario said: "We got married last Thursday, but now we're in debt. When a photographer is asking you to smile and you're thinking about what has happened, it's very confusing. We're still having flashbacks every couple of days, because it was so much money. I'm still speechless."
Public Appeal for Help
The couple launched a GoFundMe appeal to help repay loved ones who stepped in to save their wedding. Writing on the fundraising page, which has raised almost £900, they said they were "devastated" after what should have been "the happiest week of our lives" turned into "a nightmare."
