Man reports car theft after crashing it and damaging street furniture in Morro Jable
Six people investigated for simulating false robberies in Fuerteventura
The Civil Guard of the Las Palmas Command has opened investigations into six individuals suspected of pretending to be victims of crimes such as violent robbery or intimidation, theft, property damage, and motor vehicle theft on the island.
The probes began after the authorities received the complaints and started the corresponding inquiries. Investigators relied on witness statements, security‑camera footage, and mobile‑device tracking. According to a press release from the Civil Guard, these tools revealed clear contradictions between the complainants’ accounts and what actually happened.
The investigations showed that the alleged victims filed false reports in order to obtain financial compensation from their insurance companies—whether to recover lost items, claim indemnities for fictitious robberies, cover vehicle damage, or, in some cases, evade civil liability arising from traffic accidents.
One highlighted case involved a man who claimed he had been assaulted in the early hours by two individuals who stole several belongings, including a high‑end mobile phone. The incident was initially treated as a violent robbery. However, further investigation revealed that the complainant had lost the device in a well‑known entertainment venue. Because his insurance policy covered replacement in case of theft, he filed a false report to benefit from the coverage.
Another complainant alleged that his vehicle was stolen during the night. The presented facts showed “remarkable contradictions.” Analysis of multiple security‑camera recordings demonstrated that the car had been involved in an accident that damaged urban furniture in Morro Jable. The footage confirmed that the complainant himself got out of the vehicle, accompanied by other occupants, and deliberately abandoned it at the scene.
The Civil Guard also notes that the high volume of tourists staying in the municipality of Pájara, spread across various hotels, increases the likelihood of property‑related crimes. In many cases, visitors purchase insurance policies in their home countries that cover theft or loss during their vacation. A tourist claimed to have been the victim of two separate thefts of a substantial sum of money inside his hotel. Nevertheless, the investigation determined that the complainant “lied; he never lost” his room‑access card, nor was any duplicate issued. Moreover, there were no signs of forced entry on doors or windows, and the safe’s access logs did not match the alleged time frames of the incidents.
FAKE CLAIMS ARE PUNISHABLE
“Article 456 of the Penal Code punishes anyone who, knowing a statement to be false or showing reckless disregard for the truth, attributes to another person acts that would constitute a criminal offense if true,” the Civil Guard emphasized.
Simulating a crime constitutes a criminal offense, punishable by a fine of six to twelve months. Providing false testimony can lead to imprisonment of six months to two years and a fine of three to six months. In addition to criminal penalties, false complainants may face civil liability and be required to pay legal costs.