Two people have been arrested as alleged perpetrators of the crimes of aggravated fraud, false documentation and disloyal administration.
The Guardia Civil, as part of operation ‘Housel’, carried out in the province of Murcia, has dismantled a fraudulent company allegedly dedicated to the home care of British elderly people. In the search carried out in the company, 45,000 euros, 3,600 pounds and various personal documents, bank cards and bank books in the name of elderly British nationals living in Mazarrón were seized.
The investigation began when the Guardia Civil became aware of an alleged scam committed against an elderly British national who lived alone in a residential area of Mazarrón. The victim, aged 90, had been being cared for by a person who ran a company dedicated to home care for the elderly, with whom she had established a relationship of trust.
Likewise, the elderly woman lived alone, had no family roots and was in a situation of dependency and vulnerability significant enough to take advantage of her defencelessness to get hold of her real estate and economic assets, according to sources from the Benemérita in a statement.
Continuing with the investigations, the agents were able to find out the identity of the alleged fraudster, a British citizen, also a resident of Mazarrón.
Subsequently, the Guardia Civil was able to ascertain that this person took possession of the house and the savings of the elderly woman, by means of abuse of trust, selling the house and being co-owner of the bank account, using this money for her own expenses that had nothing to do with covering the needs of the victim.
According to the investigation, the suspect had obtained the victim’s consent to give her consent, such as co-ownership of bank accounts or the granting of a will in her favour, all of which was verified by the investigators through the collection of notarial acts, wills and other personal documentation.
THEY WERE LOOKING FOR WEALTHY, ELDERLY AND CHILDLESS CLIENTS.
The agents have been able to determine that the arrested woman was recruiting compatriots settled in the municipality of Mazarrón, mainly elderly people, with no family roots and who did not know the Spanish language, to offer them home care services.
The detainees are alleged to have committed the crimes of aggravated fraud, false documentation and disloyal administration.
The operation has been carried out by specialists of the Judicial Police of the Guardia Civil of Murcia and directed by the Court of Instruction of Totana (Murcia). The investigation is still open, so it is not ruled out that there may be more victims.