The Civil Guard of the Region of Murcia, within the framework of the 'PRIPYAT' operation, has developed an investigation to To clarify the commission of a series of scams targeting elderly people in Cieza, which has resulted in the identification, location, and arrest of a couple., a resident of Águilas, who is alleged to be the author of a dozen crimes of fraud (4), robbery with violence and intimidation (2) and theft (6).
The proceedings began in October of last year, following a complaint filed with the Civil Guard of Cieza by a resident of the town who cHe reported that two people had entered his home posing as employees of an electric company to inform him of an anomaly that needed to be corrected and for which he had to pay a certain amount of money.
The victim became suspicious of the individuals' behavior and denied them entry, at which point she was forced to enter the home and steal several pieces of jewelry and valuables.
As this initial investigation progressed, other cases began to emerge that bore certain similarities in the physical characteristics of the individuals involved in the alleged scams, as well as in the type of victims and the area of operation, generating alarm among the residents of Cieza.
They stayed in hotels to go unnoticed.
After several months of investigation, the Civil Guard identified the suspects, a man and a woman, residents of Águilas, on whom the investigation focused until they found out that It was a couple with an extensive police record for crimes of the same nature, who maintained a criminal activity on an itinerant basis.and, staying in different hotels for several days to stay close to the areas where they intended to operate and go unnoticed.
Finally, the Benemérita has located and arrested them as alleged perpetrators of a dozen crimes of fraud (4), robbery with violence and intimidation (2) and theft (6). The value of the stolen money and jewelry amounts to more than 12,000 euros.
According to the investigation, the now detained individuals had organized a criminal scheme aimed at defrauding elderly people. To do so, after selecting their victims, They went to their homes posing as employees of insurance or electricity companies and even municipal officials to warn them of alleged breakdowns with serious consequences, which generated fear in their victims..
To solve the problem, they demanded a certain amount of money for a fictitious service. Once they gained access to the home, in some cases, they also They seized valuables while their owners were distracted. Also, in at least two homes, located in the municipalities of Cieza and Crevillente (Alicante), They used violence and intimidation against their residents.
The Civil Guard has completed the 'PRIPYAT' operation with the clarification of a dozen crimes committed in the municipalities of Cieza (4), Mazarrón (2), Totana (1), in the Alicante municipalities of Crevillente (3) and Albatera (1) and in Vera (Almería) (1)
The arrested individuals—a 39-year-old man and woman, Spanish nationals and residents of Águilas—and the investigations conducted have been handed over to the Murcia Investigative Court, whose judge has ordered the imprisonment of one of the arrested individuals.
Source: Civil Guard.