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(Image: PA)

The Met Police have reason to believe the missing girl was snatched by European traffickers after they took photos of her, it is claimed.

Whitehall officials have been consulted and the new information is being treated very seriously, the Sun on Sunday reports.

The paper claims Scotland Yard have been handed more money to look into the theory – raising hopes the British girl could still be alive.

New funds mean the investigation can be extended until April next year, when it will be reviewed again.

(Image: PA)

Police sources said the new lead is the “last throw of the dice” in the search for the youngster, who vanished nine years ago while on holiday in Portugal, age three.

A source said: “This is an important new line of inquiry which could provide an explanation on whether Madeleine was abducted and transported away.

“It raises hopes that she could still be alive.”

Extra money suggests “there must be something worthwhile”, according to former Met detective Colin Sutton.

Inquiries into the new lead will focus on the theory that she was abducted by traffickers in May 2007.

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In the days before her disappearance, an eye-witness claims she was photographed on the beach with her parents in Praia da Luz, Portugal.

It comes after the Met’s commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe revealed the £12million Operation Grange search was nearing its end.

Investigations into theories of paedophile rings, a botched burglary attempt and abduction have proved fruitless.

Since her disappearance cops have received reports of more than 9,000 sightings across the world.

However, despite claims she may have been taken to Belgium or Morocco in north Africa, detectives are no closer to solving the puzzle.

(Image: GETTY)

The Met Police source added: “There is specific information which is being investigated.

“The team is trying to confirm or disprove it and will exhaust every possible avenue of information, as they always promised Mr and Mrs McCann they would.’’

A Met Police spokesperson told Daily Star Online: "The Operation Grange team are not prepared to discuss any lines of inquiry whilst the probe is ongoing."