Mario Kluczek, 35, and his fiancée Eliann, 31, from Liverpool city centre, had their dream Spanish wedding nearly ruined after burglars allegedly stole €10,000 in cash, their wedding rings, and precious family heirlooms from their Malaga Airbnb just days before the ceremony.
The Discovery
The couple arrived in Malaga on Saturday, June 20, excited to celebrate with relatives and friends who had travelled from across the globe. The following day, after returning from a few hours at the beach, they discovered the theft. Mario told the Liverpool Echo: "We arrived on Saturday night and went straight to our Airbnb apartment. We were all happy and looking forward to our wedding. The next day we went to the beach for a few hours. When we came back, I told my fiancée to put her engagement ring back on because she always takes it off for the beach. She opened her jewellery box and it wasn't there."
Initially thinking the ring was simply lost, Mario checked his backpack where he stored the couple's wedding funds and bands. He said: "When I opened my backpack, there was no money. All of our wedding rings had gone. They were in a special box with our wedding date on it. They also stole a necklace my nan gave me for my communion 25 years ago. That necklace means everything to me."
No Signs of Break-In
Approximately €10,000 in cash was taken – savings accumulated over 18 months following their engagement at Christmas 2024, earmarked for the DJ, photographer, catering, venue, and transport costs. There were no apparent signs of a break-in. Mario said: "The apartment looked exactly the same as when we left it. There was no damage to the door, nothing out of place. My fiancée thought at least her hand luggage had been left untouched, but when she turned it upside down we realised someone had cut through the padlock with a knife, taken everything inside and then put it back exactly as it had been. We didn't notice straight away."
Police Response
The couple contacted Spanish police, who visited the flat and instructed them to file an official report at Malaga's main police station. Officers suggested minimal chance of retrieving the money and warned that thefts targeting holidaymakers are frequent during summer. Mario explained: "They told us there are gangs who either follow tourists or check holiday apartments when people are out. We honestly don't know how someone got in. There are security codes to enter both the building and the apartment."
Wedding Goes Ahead with Borrowed Funds
With guests already travelling globally, calling off the ceremony was not feasible. The couple secured loans from relatives and friends to fund urgent expenses. Mario said: "We had to borrow money because otherwise we would have had to tell all our guests not to come. People had travelled from different countries and even different continents. We've had to borrow money to pay for the venue, catering, the photographer and the DJ. Without help from family and friends, we couldn't have gone ahead. The photographer will probably ask us to smile, but all I can think is, should I smile or cry? I'll try to enjoy the day as much as possible, but what happened will always be at the back of my mind."
Emotional Toll
Mario added: "You can always earn money again, but my nan's necklace can't be replaced. She's 80 years old and she gave it to me when I was a child. I've had it with me ever since. That hurts the most. I always try to stay positive and stay strong, but this has really hit me. I'm speechless."
GoFundMe Campaign
After the break-in, the couple set up a GoFundMe page to recover losses and reimburse lenders. On the platform, they stated: "What should have been the happiest week of our lives has turned into a nightmare. We are devastated and struggling to come to terms with what has happened during what should have been the most joyful time of our lives." Mario concluded: "If anyone can donate even £1 it would mean the world to us. We now have to repay the people who helped us, and every little bit makes a difference."
Booking.com Response
A Booking.com spokesperson commented: "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."
