Three men have been arrested in Granollers after posing as fake gas workers to gain access to the homes of elderly residents and steal valuables. The Mossos d’Esquadra apprehended the suspects, aged 21, 23, and 29, following a proactive observation operation.
Therefore, the group is accused of running a coordinated scheme targeting vulnerable victims. Meanwhile, they stole cash, jewellery, and bank cards which were subsequently used to withdraw large sums of money.
Your browser does not support the video tag.Home » Fake Gas Workers Granollers: Three Arrested for Elderly Distraction Robbery
Suspicious ATM Activity Leads to Arrests
The arrests took place on the 10th of February after a plainclothes patrol noticed irregular behaviour at a local bank branch. Officers observed one of the suspects making multiple cash withdrawals from an ATM while displaying a nervous and vigilant attitude.
Police tracked the individual to a waiting vehicle occupied by a second suspect. Upon seeing the officers approach, the accomplice attempted to hide a bag containing various bank cards and a passbook registered to an 80-year-old woman.
Anatomy of the Fake Gas Workers Scam
Investigators located the owner of the bank documents, an 80-year-old resident, who revealed she had been visited by a supposed gas technician that same morning. The fraudster had claimed he was there to resolve a service complaint.
The scheme relied on distraction and coordination between three individuals:
- The Distraction: One man entered the home to ostensibly check the boiler, leading the victim away from the main living areas.
- The Theft: While the victim was occupied, a second intruder slipped into the property to steal jewellery, bank cards, the bank book, and €350 in cash.
- The Social Engineering: A third accomplice telephoned the victim, also posing as a gas company employee, to request security codes for the stolen cards under the guise of verification.
Stolen Goods Recovered
Following the arrests, the Mossos d’Esquadra were able to return significant assets to the victim. This included the €350 taken from her home, various pieces of jewellery, and €3,600 that the thieves had already withdrawn from her bank account using the stolen cards.
In addition, the three detainees, one of whom has a prior police record for similar offences, appeared in court on the 11th of February. They face charges of robbery and bank fraud, underscoring the importance of a targeted police offensive against repeat offenders.
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