Chega Deputy Francisco Gomes publicly denounced the existence of an alleged scheme of fraud and robbery of tourists at the airports of Lisbon, Porto, and Faro. According to the parliamentarian, organised groups are conning tourists by driving cars that look similar to taxis.
According to Francisco Gomes, after attracting tourists, the fake drivers drive them to places where robberies occur, usually at knife or gunpoint. The deputy also says that there are cases in which the perpetrators of the crimes boast on social networks, sharing images of the victims.
“We are facing a criminal scheme that humiliates Portugal and shames the country’s image among those who visit us. It is unacceptable that groups are allowed to use our airports as a base to deceive and rob tourists, jeopardising public security and the national economy,” said Francisco Gomes.
“The passivity of the State in the face of this type of crime is an affront and creates the idea that there is a group of people who do not have to obey the law. We demand the intervention of the security forces to stop the violence, protect tourists, and ensure that the law is not replaced by fear and anarchy,” stressed the deputy in the Assembly of the Republic.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
