Two men aged 31 and 62, along with three women aged 18, 23, and 56, were apprehended on suspicion of extortion on Saturday at around 9:40 PM on Padre Costa Street in Matosinhos by the Public Security Police (PSP).
In a statement, the PSP detailed that “the initial scheme involved the suspects lending money to others, who were then required to repay double the amount loaned.”
“The initial loan of 2,000 euros quickly escalated to 7,500 euros in payments, and even after the victim settled the debt, the suspects continued threatening her to make her hand over large sums of money and cover food expenses at her workplace,” the statement elaborated.
The authorities further explained that “the suspects claimed the debt would only be considered paid off if the victim handed over 35,000 euros, or else her family would face reprisals,” leading the victim to file complaints.
“The suspects were caught in the act during a police operation where the victim was supposed to deliver the money,” it added.
The detained individuals have appeared before the competent Judicial Authorities, with two of them being required to make periodic appearances at the police authority of their residence.
