The GNR has arrested and detained a 26-year-old man for conning people out of money and for the illegal possession of a firearm.As part of an investigation conducted by the Department of Investigation and Criminal Action of Albufeira, a police operation was carried out with three search warrants and two vehicle searches in Quinta do Conde , Barreiro and Lavradio.
According the the GNR, the man in question is "accused of approaching elderly people in shopping centre parking lots in various areas of Albufeira, pretending that he had met the victims before."
He pretended to be an employee of a well-known store and proposed to sell them electronic goods and perfumes, supposedly at a low price and taking them to ATMs to withdraw money."
During the operation, the GNR arrested the man and seized two cars, a 6.35mm pistol plus ammunition, a box wifi; a tablet; 26 bottles of perfume and €2,301 in cash.
The detainee, who already has a criminal record for these sorts of trickery, was made a defendant and is in detention until trial.
Four women and three men, all between the ages of 20 and 50, also were identified on suspicion of participating in the scam operation.
