Million-Dollar Digital Kit Subsidy Leak: Business Owner Claims Fraud

“You can also receive a free computer; aid is about to run out,” claimed a viral TikTok ad viewed by 1.4 million Spaniards. A company has posted 8,343 variations of this promotional message alone, while other social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook echo similar claims: “I got a brand-new Mac without spending a single euro,” a young girl stated in one of the ads. Other advertisements read: “You could get an iPhone 17 Pro or a MacBook Air for free and legally. Does that sound like a scam? It's not.”

These enticing offers stem from a substantial subsidy program aimed at self-employed workers and SMEs known as the digital kit, which allocates up to 1,000 euros for a computer and another 2,000 euros for enhancements to websites or networks. Funded by 3.4 billion euros from European sources, the program has issued 858,000 aids but has faced significant misuse by some individuals aiming to profit with minimal effort. Issues include intermediaries exploiting phantom or duplicate clients, freelancers who either never received services or were provided inadequate ones, and computers issued by the government being resold unopened on platforms like Wallapop.

Although the exact financial impact of the subsidy's mismanagement is difficult to assess, numerous affected individuals have voiced their concerns on digital platforms regarding possible scams. Red.es, the agency responsible for administering the kit under the Ministry for Digital Transformation, has not disclosed the number of complaints received, and those impacted report a lack of oversight in the distribution of public funds. Notably, there are no new calls planned for 2026.

While thousands of SMEs have successfully enhanced their digital presence, the program has led to unforeseen issues. Javier Martínez Ruiz, a businessman from Albacete, remarked, “It's a good initiative, considering I've worked in several countries where digital maturity is far more advanced. We can't lag behind.” He created a Telegram forum called Affected Digital Kit and emphasized, “It's essential to promote the program, not just the free gifts.”

Despite its noble objectives, the program's open conditions have created opportunities for exploitation. Complaints from individuals seeking legal recourse and social media platforms with hundreds reporting inadequate services highlight the program's inconsistencies. A significant number of digital kit computers are even finding their way to Wallapop, often offered by individuals dissatisfied with the administration's process.

The Role of Middlemen

The digital kit introduced several subsidy segments, the smallest being 3,000 euros—1,000 for a computer and 2,000 for digital services (such as web improvements). Self-employed individuals were eligible to request this aid, regardless of their necessity or desire for it. “Many people requested computers, thinking they would at least receive something,” Martínez Ruiz explained. “We were often asked for services we knew weren't justified, as it was public money.”

To access these services, self-employed workers had to approach digitizing agents—companies authorized by the government to deliver digital services related to the kit. The government approved over 11,000 such agents, leading to complications for many, including Yolanda Mejías, who struggled with meeting annual billing requirements to qualify as an agent. “It became impossible to survive without engaging in the digital kit,” shared an anonymous businesswoman. “My regular clients were increasingly demanding the kit; if I didn't offer it, they would take their business elsewhere.”

A Facebook group with 861 affected members encapsulates this issue, dubbing it “an unfair competition that endangers small businesses and freelancers.” They express frustration over large corporations monopolizing the market without real expertise.

New intermediaries like Ayuda Digitización emerged, created in 2022 to facilitate small IT companies' participation in the subsidy process. By managing paperwork for a fee, they provided significant help, but they also exploited the system, encouraging more freelancers to claim funds without adequately informing them. Ads showcasing “free computers” contributed to this phenomenon, fueling competition among numerous companies, particularly those based in the Canary Islands to evade VAT.

In a twist, intermediaries like Ayuda Digitización also aimed to profit from freelancers who were unaware of the digital kit. Mejías, who identified as an SEO expert, began collaborating with Ayuda Digitización to capitalize on the digital kit opportunities. These intermediaries often sold leads to small businesses but increasingly provided low-quality clients, leading to dissatisfaction and further complaints.

Mejías famously remarked, “They give you clients that rotate, ones that no one wants,” after experiencing issues with untraceable leads. She has since filed a lawsuit against Ayuda Digitalización, seeking approximately 30,000 euros.

The complaints regarding Ayuda Digitalización highlight a swift establishment more focused on capitalizing from the digital kit than fulfilling its potential. Reports detail delayed responses, unclear commission structures, and sudden changes in company personnel.

The situation worsens as small companies must advance costs for clients before receiving payment from the administration, leading to severe financial strain. “I had to pay 1,480 euros upfront for several clients and then went months without any income,” Mejías recounted, leading to her financial ruin.

Service Quality Concerns

Emma, a content creator from Barcelona, became another victim of the digital kit's pitfalls. “A friend encouraged me to apply, claiming freelancers were getting computers,” she stated. Hesitantly, she complied and was referred to a Canary Islands company. However, Emma faced subpar service characterized by AI-generated images that did not meet her needs. The company eventually went silent, leaving Emma in uncertainty as to the status of her computer.

Emma's experience resonates with many individuals actively voicing their dissatisfaction on various platforms about the services received. These complaints demonstrate a disconnect between expectations and reality, especially considering the significant subsidies issued by the administration.

Issues with Voluntary Representatives

Among the most egregious cases involves improper use of voluntary representatives—individuals allowed to apply for subsidies on behalf of self-employed workers. Instances have arisen where people unwittingly signed away their rights, only to find themselves unaccounted for within the process. An affected individual recounted on social media how a company contacted them about the digital kit, claiming representation for associations they lead but then went completely dark after obtaining their signature.

The situation illustrates the potential for companies to exploit voluntary representation, presenting fraudulent applications without the actual recipient's knowledge. As impacted individuals are beginning to organize, it remains unclear how many people have been affected by such deceitful practices.

If you have more information about this case, or other similar ones, you can write to jordipc@elpais.es