The plot of false gas installers 5,000 defrauded four million victims
The network members came to collect up to 1,200 euros for repairs of faults exist
The plot of false gas installers became disjointed this fraud on a juicy business. The scam reached an amount of four million euros and the number of victims is estimated to be around 5,000.
The Civil Guard have arrested 26 people across Spain on this network of scam artists nationwide for the alleged crimes of fraud, money laundering, intrusion and usurpation of functions. The vast majority, 17, was arrested in Balears. The head of the magistrate court number four of Palma on Friday ordered the imprisonment of 14 of them and the other three were released with charges.
Also, three others involved in this organization were arrested in Alicante, two in Madrid, four in Malaga. They were also charged as other two members of this band.
The modus operandi of false gas installers consisted cited by phone scam people. They were convinced that a review of the facility, although this is not mandatory. The profile of the victim was always very similar. They were older or foreign nationals.
Personates Once at home, false installers detected faults exist. The repair was initially budgeted at about 50 euros to gain the trust of the victim. Then they went up the amount gradually while adding other assumptions were problems that arose. In closing, we loaded the user an exorbitant price of the parts needed, and the visit could reach a sum of 1,200 euros.
When scammers detected that the victim had a higher purchasing power, false installers had no qualms about returning to home and repeat the same operation. Then others were charged 1,200 euros for repair simulated fault.
In finding the existence of a possible organization related to these false gas installers, the Civil Guard activated the so-called 'Operation CH4', referring to methane. The epicenter of this band was in Mallorca-Palma and Inca-mainly, but also identified numerous branches nationwide.
'Operation CH4'
In Balears, the band members had specialized in robbing the pockets of the victims who met the two main requirements seeking: older and foreign nationals. Numerous German, British and Dutch residents on the island suffered the ravages of this organization scammers.
The Civil Guard made numerous records in the offices and homes of members of this organization, supervised by the court in Palma instruction number 11. Institute of Armed agents intervened abundant incriminating documentation of activities of this murky plot.
Officers also spoke eight homes, 25 luxury cars, two motorcycles and numerous large displacement current accounts. All this amount, valued at four million euros, have been acquired with reviews scammed with fake money.
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