A 64-year-old woman believed she found love through social media. For two years, she maintained contact with someone who claimed to be a well-known artist and, convinced of the relationship, ended up giving him more than 250,000 euros. The case ended at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, in Porto, where the victim hoped to meet his alleged partner again, but the Judicial Police were the first to appear.
According to the Notícias ao Minuto portal, the investigation revealed that the suspect, a 45-year-old man, was detained in the act on Thursday, October 30, when he arrived on national territory to meet the victim. The woman believed that the meeting would serve to deliver another 25,000 euros, an amount that would add to the amount already transferred in recent months.
Scheme known as “love scam”
According to the same source, the case is part of a digital fraud scheme called “love scam”. The method consists of creating fake profiles on social media, generally of public figures or people with apparent status and success, to establish emotional relationships and gain the victims’ trust.
The Judiciary Police explained that, in this case, the suspect pretended to be a well-known artist, maintaining frequent contact with the woman since 2022. The transfers were carried out in various ways: bank deposits, acquisition of cryptocurrency cards and even cash deliveries made in face-to-face meetings with people pretending to be representatives of the alleged artist.
The moment of arrest
The publication adds that the detainee was intercepted as he disembarked at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport. At the scene, authorities seized “various telephone equipment, as well as other relevant evidence”, said the PJ.
The man, of foreign nationality, would later be brought before the court for the first judicial interrogation and application of coercive measures.
A warning from the authorities
He also mentions what the Judicial Police has been warning about the increase in similar cases, in which victims, often middle-aged or elderly women, are led to believe in false emotional connections. Scammers take advantage of this trust to obtain large amounts of money, promising refunds, reunions or non-existent investments.
The PJ advises that any request for money made by someone known only via the internet should be viewed with suspicion and reported to the authorities. These schemes are difficult to track as they involve international networks and the use of false identities.
End of an illusion
According to the same source, the victim, who believed he was helping a “famous artist” in difficulty, ended up realizing the mistake only at the time of the police operation. The case served to reinforce warnings about the growing risk of digital scams in Portugal, especially those that exploit the emotional involvement of victims. The Judiciary Police will continue to investigate the case, seeking to identify possible accomplices and track the final destination of the funds handed over.
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