A man and woman, both aged 45, have been arrested in Silves, in the Algarve, on suspicion of carrying out a “fake accident” scam targeting elderly victims.
The pair were caught red-handed on Monday (October 19) by officers from the GNR’s Silves Criminal Investigation Unit (NIC), after allegedly demanding €2,000 from an 85-year-old man.
The investigation began four days earlier, following a complaint involving a similar scam in which €1,500 had allegedly been handed over by a victim.
According to the GNR, investigators identified the suspects and began monitoring their activity, eventually catching them during another alleged attempt using the same method.
Police say the pair mainly targeted older people by pretending that the victims had caused damage to their vehicle in a road accident.
They would then allegedly try to persuade them not to contact police or insurance companies, instead demanding an immediate cash payment to cover the supposed repairs.
On October 19, the suspects allegedly approached an 85-year-old victim and demanded €2,000, accompanying him to a bank so that he could withdraw the money.
After the cash was handed over and the suspects walked away, GNR officers intercepted and arrested them.
The full €2,000 was recovered.
The suspects are due to appear before the Silves Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DIAP).
The case comes amid growing concern over so-called “fake accident” scams, particularly in the Algarve. As The Resident reported in August, the Faro district recorded more cases than any other district in Portugal during the first half of 2026, with six complaints registered by the GNR.
Nationwide, the GNR recorded 30 complaints between January and June, up from 26 during the same period last year. Victims lost a combined €72,540 in just six months, already close to the €77,480 lost during the whole of 2025. The largest single loss recorded in the first half of this year was €15,450.
The scams typically involve fraudsters following motorists from car parks or shopping areas before persuading them to stop and falsely claiming they have caused damage to another vehicle. Older motorists are deliberately targeted, according to the GNR, while some scammers have also begun using portable payment terminals to steal bank cards and PIN numbers after first convincing victims to make a payment.
GNR warning
The GNR is urging the public to be particularly cautious when approached following an alleged road accident.
Police advise motorists not to make immediate cash payments, to photograph the vehicles and any alleged damage, ask for the other party’s documentation and follow the normal procedures for reporting an accident to insurers.
Anyone faced with a suspicious approach should contact the police immediately.