A 37-year-old man has been apprehended by the National Police for allegedly committing fraud and fabricating a crime in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The investigation leading to the arrest commenced several months ago, following a report made by the individual himself claiming to have been a victim of a violent robbery near the transport interchange.
Police procedures did not substantiate the reported incidents, and coupled with the withdrawal of the complaint by the individual, prompted investigators to delve into the person and the actual motives lurking behind the complaint, as detailed by the Police on Thursday.
Subsequently, the same individual, already under investigation, reported another theft at his residence to the authorities.
Upon re-examination, it was revealed that the incidents reported by the individual to the National Police were apparently an elaborate ruse to deceive his insurance company into paying out a compensation of 6,000 euros.
The National Police, through the insurance firm, discovered that for the initial violent robbery, which the complaint was retracted for, he had already received 900 euros in compensation.
Based on the compelling evidence, the man was detained in Tenerife’s capital and following questioning at the police station, he was brought before the court.
The National Police emphasises that falsely claiming to be the perpetrator or victim of a crime, or reporting a fictitious crime, can constitute a criminal offence leading to fines ranging from 6 to 12 months.
