Police probe Lisbon travel agencies over suspected fake documents

Portuguese police have inspected four travel agencies in central Lisbon areas known for large numbers of immigrants following complaints from foreign nationals who allegedly paid for services to obtain documents later found, or suspected, to be illegal or even forged.

The operation, carried out by the PSP’s Lisbon Metropolitan Command in conjunction with the Tax Authority and the Social Security Institute, took place in the parishes of Arroios and Santa Maria Maior.

According to a PSP statement, the investigation was triggered by reports from foreign citizens who claimed they had paid for assistance in securing official documents that subsequently proved to be fraudulent, or were suspected of being falsified.

The inspection resulted in the identification of one suspected criminal offence and a series of administrative violations involving copyright infringement, workplace regulations, safety requirements, tax compliance and customs legislation.

Authorities issued more than 20 infringement notices during the operation. Among the offences detected were four cases of failure to issue invoices and one case of irregular invoicing.

Inspectors also recorded a violation linked to the failure to register with Portugal’s official travel agency registry (RNAVT), as well as three labour-related infractions involving failure to notify authorities of employee recruitment, irregular contract arrangements and non-payment of declared remuneration.

Additional violations included the absence of mandatory notices prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors, deficiencies in fire safety equipment installation and the sale of tobacco products without a valid tax stamp. Police seized 86 packets of tobacco during the operation.

The PSP also reported offences relating to counterfeit goods, leading to the seizure of seven items, and identified businesses operating without the legally required complaints book.

The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by Portuguese authorities to combat document fraud, protect foreign residents and ensure compliance with labour, tax and consumer protection laws in sectors that frequently provide services to migrant communities.

Source: Executive Digest/ LUSA

Natasha Donn

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.