POLICE have arrested a Brit woman accused of scheming a bungled robbery and kidnapping of her wealthy ex-partner near Benidorm.

The woman, her ex-husband, and one other accomplice, who are all from the UK, are now at the centre of an ongoing criminal investigation.

The investigation began with the detentions of two men following an armed break-in.

But the case has taken an unexpected twist with the imprisonment of the female suspect last weekend.

Police sources say they have evidence pointing to the unnamed woman instigating the crime.

The evidence shows she did may have plotted the bungled crime after becoming saddled with debts and seeing her rich ex-lover as the solution to her financial problems.

The alleged victim told cops he is not as wealthy as his alleged abductors thought.

He also claimed he is convinced he would have been killed if they had discovered the truth.

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The Civil Guard first revealed last week it foiled a “violent robbery and unlawful detention” at a property in the town of Callosa d’en Sarria a 25-minute drive north of Benidorm.

A spokesman for the force based in Alicante said: “A 64-year-old British man and a Portuguese 56-year-old are in custody.

“They were caught red-handed after trying to commit a violent robbery at an occupied house with the intention of unlawfully retaining the occupant.

“Officers raced to the property after receiving reports armed individuals were inside and they were held after trying to flee.

“Thanks to our rapid intervention, we managed to save the victim from being held against his will.

“Two tasers, an air pistol, three defence sprays, a Balaclava, gloves, face masks and a roll of duct tape which we believe the suspects were planning to use, were found during a subsequent search.”

Local reports following the incarceration of the Brit woman said the assailants had information about their intended target only she and their alleged victim knew.

He told cops he exchanged messages with his ex on the day of the crime.

The alleged victim said his ex-partner asked him to go the house from the gym to help her with a problem she was having with her mobile phone.

A police investigation has revealed the woman had money problems which detectives believe could lay behind the crime.

Local reports claim her ex-husband offered his alleged Portuguese accomplice £2,150 to help him “give someone a fright”.

The two men who were initially arrested have been remanded in prison pending the ongoing investigation.

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