The Guardia Civil arrested five people in the province, one woman and four men, in the space of two days over false theft claims.

In Zubia, which is a satellite town of Granada city, a young man made a statement before the police, claiming that two people stopped him in his car, dragged him out, punching him and threatening him with a knife. They took his money and a gold bracelet.

However before he had even got to the end of the statement, he was already admitting that it was a lie. He explained that he had done it to justify before his parents being 90 euros down after he had blown it partying.

Another man in Armilla reported that he had been mugged, kidnapped and his girlfriend’s credit card stolen from him. The supposed muggers had withdrawn 900 euros on it. The Guardia Civil investigated and found out, thanks to the bank’s CCTV, that it had been him who had made the withdrawal.

Meanwhile, over in Maracena, a young man reported that he had been mugged by a thief with a very big knife, who had relieved him of 120 euros and his mobile phone. However, the police noticed a couple of contradictions in his statement. They questioned him further and he caved in, admitting that he had simply lost his wallet and mobile and had turned it into a mugging so that he could claim on his insurance.

Again, in Zubia, a woman reported that her bag had been snatched – upon determined cross questioning, she admitted that it was not true.

Finally, in Loja, a young lad claimed that somebody had stolen his mobile, but his attempt to make a false statement ended in the same way as the others.

(News: Granada, Andalucia)