In a statement, the municipality states that "the alleged fraudulent scheme, which requests cash deliveries in exchange for favours", uses the false email pedrocaladogovernoregionalpsd@gmail.com.

"The Municipality of Funchal asked the citizen who brought the email to their attention to file a complaint with the police authorities, and the municipality will also follow legal procedures to expose this case to the Public Prosecutor's Office", the same note said.

The local authority, led by social democrat Pedro Calado, also asks residents to report this situation if they are contacted through the aforementioned email, reporting it to the competent police authorities.