Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
A VALENCIA-BASED gang posing as electricity inspectors conned €100,000 out of 85 elderly people across Spain.
They threatened to cut off the supplies once they had gained access to the house and they used various tricks to gain cash, jewellery and other valuables.
In one case in Castellon province, a man was assaulted and €1,200 in cash was stolen from him.
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Five other people are under investigation for dozens crimes including fraud, theft and robbery.
The gang was active in Aragon and the surrounding areas of Castilla-La Mancha (Castilla y Leon), Valencia, La Rioja (Madrid), Navarra, Basque Country, Madrid.
After receiving two complaints, the Guardia Civil of Picassent (Valencia Province) launched Operation Lugacoli in order to capture the offenders.
The scammers would arrive unannounced in the homes or on the streets of elderly people, claiming that they were technicians for an electricity company.
They wore clothing that had generic or fake brands to gain their trust, and they said they urgently needed to replace the electricity meter.
The conmen threatened to cut off power immediately if the payments were not received.
In some cases, they demanded up to €900, either in cash or by card, even using fake card readers to obtain the PIN code and later to withdraw money from ATMs.
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The scammers called their victims by name and conducted preliminary checks. This reinforced the credibility of the scam.
They also steal mobile phones and jewellery from homes.
Seven people with criminal records living in Valencia made up the gang.
The two detainees were remanded in custody pending their trial.
Guardia Civil warns that it is important to be extremely cautious when you have an unexpected guest and to be on guard for anyone demanding immediate payment of utilities.
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