A 43-year-old man was named a suspect by the Public Security Police (PSP) last Wednesday, July 2, on suspicion of “crime simulation” in Lisbon.
In a statement released to newsrooms this Friday, the Lisbon Metropolitan Command of the PSP stated that “the suspect filed a complaint at the Alfragide Station” regarding an alleged robbery with a bladed weapon that occurred on June 30.
To the police, the man claimed he was approached by three individuals, “the first of whom asked for a cigarette, and when he did not provide it, the second threatened him with a knife, demanding that he hand over everything he had, namely his personal mobile phone.”
In his statement, the now-named suspect “included descriptions of the suspects’ physical build and clothing.”
The PSP emphasized that “violent and serious crimes receive special attention and priority from the police,” as they directly impact “the public’s sense of security.”
Thanks to the officers’ “perception and experience,” they were able to uncover “a series of indicators leading to a falsified scenario, filled with inconsistencies and factual weaknesses.”
It was also determined that the false testimony aimed to “cover up the fact that the suspect had lost his mobile phone, which he had since found and had in his possession.”
The mobile phone was seized as evidence, and the suspect was named for the simulation of the crime of robbery, the authority indicated.
The PSP noted that the Lisbon Metropolitan Command “has proceeded with the arrest in flagrante delicto and the formal naming of dozens of citizens for the simulation of crime this year.”
In most cases, crime simulations relate to robberies of “electronic devices, usually mobile phones, in order to subsequently claim insurance for undue compensation for alleged losses.”
The authority also highlighted in the statement that “with this type of action,” they ensure justice is served and “discourage the practice of crimes, as well as the reporting of crime simulations, especially robberies, due to their failure in the face of police effectiveness.”
“The PSP will continue to give this the highest priority to ensure that the justice system is respected and not manipulated in favor of criminal interests,” the security force assured.
