Two women, aged 54 and 33, were arrested by the Public Security Police (PSP) last Thursday, November 6, on suspicion of committing crimes of qualified fraud and extortion.
The PSP states in a communiqué that the investigation began in January 2025 after a complaint was filed by a 76-year-old woman residing in the municipality of Oeiras. The victim reported being subjected, over several months, to psychological pressure, manipulation, emotional exploitation, and indirect threats by the two suspects, with whom she had a “close trusting relationship.”
The detained women allegedly “exploited the existing family and trust relationship,” taking advantage of the victim’s “emotional and physical vulnerability to gain undue financial benefits,” such as “bank transfers, cash payments, and the surrender of personal belongings” amounting to over 150,000 euros.
“To maintain the situation of dominance and dependency, the defendants resorted to emotional blackmail, insults, and veiled intimidation, causing the victim to feel coerced into meeting their monetary demands for fear of reprisals and social isolation,” the statement reads.
Following several months of investigation, the PSP “conducted discrete surveillance efforts, gathered evidence, and performed document and financial analysis, which confirmed the pattern of exploitation and coercion exerted on the victim.”
Consequently, “house search and seizure warrants were executed at the defendants’ residences,” with “various documents, electronic devices, and bank records of evidential value” being seized as well.
The arrested individuals are to appear before the Judicial Authority for the preliminary judicial interrogation and the application of precautionary measures.
