The Civil Guard warns of a scam in Lanzarote offering false disinfection services against Covid in homes

The agents are investigating the events together with the Local Police of Tías, since in this municipality four attempted scams have been detected so far.

September 23 2020 (11:29 WEST)
Updated in September 23 2020 (12:27 WEST)
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The Civil Guard has warned of the existence of a criminal group in Lanzarote that, taking advantage of the widespread fear of Covid-19, is making home visits among the older population offering alleged free disinfection services of homes, on behalf of municipal services. From the Benemérita, which is investigating the events in collaboration with the Local Police of Tías, they warn that the objective could be to be alone in the home to steal inside.

So far, four attempted scams have been detected, all in the municipality of Tías, and agents are now trying to locate those responsible, without ruling out that they may also be operating in other municipalities on the island.

"The modus operandi carried out by these alleged scammers consists of posing as personnel from disinfection companies, fraudulently using their brand, as they are well known or linked to the local or island administration", explains the Civil Guard, which emphasizes that "as a result of the coronavirus health crisis, there are non-specialized cleaning companies that are carrying out fraudulent disinfection services, one of these false practices consisting of the alleged use of ozone production systems, which require that there be no presence of any person in the place to be treated".

In addition, they add that "when operating, they appear at the home of elderly people, carrying a false professional card and even offering an installation of a geolocator for a ridiculous price, with the alleged purpose of obtaining personal and bank details to be subsequently scammed".

Once inside the homes, the alleged objective of the scammers would be to "search the interior of the home and steal any object of certain value or cash, taking advantage of the momentary absence of the residents during the non-existent disinfection work", they explain, pointing out that they could also try to bill for an unsolicited service.

As a result of these events, the Civil Guard points out that the municipal services, coordinated by the Local Police of Tías, are also carrying out an information campaign among the residents of the area informing of the non-existence of said municipal service. And it is that "there is no record of municipal workers or companies linked to the town halls that are carrying out these disinfection tasks" in homes.

Therefore, in the event of any information about these attempted scams, they ask those affected to report it to 062 or contact the local police force competent in their municipality.

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