The 52-year-old woman and her 20-year-old daughter allegedly plotted with the daughter’s 29-year-old boyfriend to find and kill the older woman’s ex-partner.

The boyfriend, who police believe had persuaded the others that he was a spy with powerful connections, was allegedly paid €7,000 as a deposit.

However, when the hit did not take place, the women contacted the national police in their home country of Spain to accuse the boyfriend of fraud, El País reports.

All three have now been arrested, charged and are awaiting court proceedings for arranging a contract killing.