PNR detains three women suspected of aggravated fraud in Santo Tirso

According to the Territorial Command of the GNR Porto, three women suspected of defrauding several people, particularly vulnerable people, in Santo Tirso, Porto district, were arrested and two were placed in preventive detention.

A statement from the National Republican Guard (GNR) said the investigation had been ongoing for more than a year and that the arrests of the women, aged between 34 and 58, took place on Tuesday.

GNR conducted several police investigations, culminating in the execution of two arrest warrants for two fraud suspects and 10 search warrants, seven at the home and three outside the home.

“It was established that the suspects were looking for several people, especially vulnerable due to their age, in order to convince them that they had the skills to solve any problem,” the statement said.

Another suspect was also arrested at the scene for possession of a prohibited weapon, and three men and one woman, aged between 23 and 56, were also identified and charged.

The PNP seized 1,635 grams of gold, firearms, seven rounds of ammunition, a laptop, 13 mobile phones, a car, 51,435 euros in cash, various documents, household appliances, tools and furniture.

The detainees were present at the Penafiel Court for the application of coercive measures.

One of them had his ID and residence permits left valid, and two were in pre-trial detention.

According to the GNR, the action was reinforced by soldiers from the Intervention Unit (DI) of Porto and soldiers from the territorial commands of Aveiro, Braga and Viana do Castelo, and also had the support of the Public Security Police (PSP).