Following early reports, an intensive search operation was underway after claims the missing child, who would now be 12 years old, was supposedly living “in the custody of a woman” in the city of Areguá.
The Sun UK reports that private investigator, British man Miraz Ullah Ali, said that he spotted Maddie in in the city.
His claims triggered a major search involving four police stations, the anti-kidnapping division, intelligence personnel and Interpol, according to a local news outlet.
Ali told Color ABC, “My team and I received the information that Madeleine arrived in Paraguay a month or two ago and is living in Areguá in the custody of a woman.”
Kate and Gerry McCann, Maddie’s parents, had been informed of the reports and appealed for anyone with any information about their daughter to come forward.
Investigators have dismissed reports that Madeleine McCann has been spotted in Paraguay, and questioned the credibility of Miraz Ullah Ali, who refused to reveal who he worked for and wasn’t able to offer documentation to support his claims.
Sebastian Jara, from Paraguay Interpol, said, “We do not have anything I can add, except that we have begun to move with all our might, but for now we have nothing. Areguá is a very large and very populated city and this research caught us by surprise.”