Portuguese romance scammer detained after conning five women out of over 60,000 euros via fake Instagram profiles
Polícia Judiciária arrested a 28-year-old man in Guimarães on 9 July in operation "Coração de Ouro" after he posed as a wealthy investor to defraud women he met on Instagram.
A 28-year-old man from Guimarães was taken into custody on Thursday, 9 July 2026, as the Polícia Judiciária (PJ) dismantled a romance scam that targeted women on Instagram. According to investigators, the suspect, identified as Ângelo, created fake profiles to establish trust and, in some cases, romantic relationships before persuading his victims to hand over tens of thousands of euros under the guise of financial investments.
Modus operandi
The scheme followed a consistent pattern. Ângelo, who lived with his parents and had no job, used the social network to approach women while presenting himself as an older, successful stock-market investor using a false name. After building an emotional connection, often exchanging declarations of love, he would promise exceptionally high returns on financial investments. Convinced, the victims transferred money initially through low-value payments via MB Way or Revolut, and later in larger sums, reaching tens of thousands of euros. Once the money was received, the fake investor vanished, deleting his profile and leaving no trace.
After gaining their trust, he would present himself as an investor in the financial markets, promising high returns and inducing them to make bank transfers, MB WAY payments and other financial operations.
Victims and losses
The PJ has so far identified five victims, though the investigation points to the possibility of additional cases. The total known financial damage exceeds 60,000 euros. One woman alone lost more than 20,000 euros. None of the victims recovered any of the sums they had handed over. Authorities found that the suspect spent the vast majority of the stolen money on online gambling and betting platforms, rather than any legitimate financial activity.
He dissipated a significant part of those amounts on online gambling platforms.
Investigation and arrest
The case began to unravel in September 2024 when a woman from Póvoa de Lanhoso filed the first complaint. She had met the scammer on Instagram and, after being talked into making investments, saw no return. The PJ in Braga opened an inquiry and gradually linked a series of similar reports to the same suspect. The operation, codenamed "Coração de Ouro" (Golden Heart), culminated on the morning of 9 July with the execution of an out-of-flagrante delicto arrest warrant and a house search at the family home in a parish of Guimarães. Inspectors seized computers, a mobile phone, external disks and other IT equipment that will now undergo forensic examination to determine the full scale of the criminal activity.
- Suspect begins using fake Instagram profiles to approach women, presenting himself as a successful investor.
- First complaint filed by a woman from Póvoa de Lanhoso; she had transferred thousands of euros with no return.
- Polícia Judiciária arrests the 28-year-old suspect in Guimarães and carries out a house search, seizing IT equipment.
- First judicial interrogation; suspect released with daily reporting to PSP and banned from social networks.
Legal proceedings
The inquiry is led by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Póvoa de Lanhoso, where the first complaint was lodged. The detainee faces charges of qualified fraud and money laundering. After being presented to a court on 10 July, he was released but is subject to daily reporting to the PSP police. The court also imposed a ban on opening or closing bank accounts and on using social networks. The PJ continues to investigate, seeking to identify any further victims and fully clarify the facts.
