28-year-old arrested in Guimarães for digital fraud scheme that defrauded women of over 60 thousand euros
A 28-year-old man was detained in Guimarães for creating fake Instagram profiles to defraud women. The PJ operation identified five victims and losses exceeding 60 thousand euros.
28-year-old arrested in Guimarães for digital fraud scheme that defrauded women of over 60 thousand euros
On Thursday, the Judicial Police detained a 28-year-old individual in the municipality of Guimarães in northern Portugal. The man is accused of creating fictitious identities on the Instagram platform to deceive women and obtain money from them.
The police operation, designated "Golden Heart", resulted from a complaint filed in September of last year. Investigators discovered that the suspect cultivated emotional bonds with the victims through the internet, building a relationship of intimacy that he later exploited for financial gain.
After gaining the women's trust, the detainee presented himself as a specialist in financial investments, convincing them that they would obtain significant profits. He then requested that they transfer funds via bank transfer or through mobile payment applications. The money was never returned or invested — it was appropriated by the defendant.
According to information released by the PJ and reported by Correio da Manhã, confirmed losses amount to more than 60 thousand euros. Five victims have already been identified, although authorities do not rule out the existence of other injured parties.
The PJ further revealed that the suspect channelled a large part of the amount obtained illegally to betting sites and online gambling games.
The case is being investigated as qualified fraud and money laundering. The defendant will be heard by the court for a decision on the precautionary measures to be applied.
Source: Correio da Manhã