Operation "ScamWay": Braga Judicial Police interrogates eight suspects in MB Way fraud cases
The Judicial Police of Braga identified eight suspects of fraud through MB Way, with more than two dozen victims and losses of around 80 thousand euros.
Suspected fraud network via MB Way dismantled by Braga Judicial Police
The Judicial Police of Braga identified and interrogated eight people as part of operation "ScamWay", which investigates a suspected fraud network using the MB Way payment system, according to Correio da Manhã. Seven of the eight suspects were directly involved in the criminal activity. All were released after questioning.
The investigation has been ongoing for around two years and has identified more than two dozen victims, with total losses estimated at around 80 thousand euros. The most severely affected victim is believed to have lost around 15 thousand euros in a single transaction related to the sale of a motor vehicle.
Method of operation: online sales advertisements as bait
According to José Monteiro, director of the Criminal Investigation Department in Braga, the suspects came mainly from the Centre and South regions of the country. The group divided functions among themselves: some members were responsible for identifying advertisements posted on online sales platforms and establishing initial contact with victims, whilst others were specifically recruited to receive the transferred funds.
The investigation also revealed that those involved maintained close family or friendship relations with one another. Some of the suspects have previous criminal records for the same type of crimes.
Money dissipated through intermediaries
During the searches carried out, mobile phones and computers were seized. The Judicial Police were unable to recover the amounts lost by the victims: the funds were rapidly moved through a chain of intermediaries, which hindered their tracking.
One of the eight detainees was also intercepted during the operation in possession of a prohibited weapon. The suspects are aged between 24 and 48 years.
Source: Correio da Manhã