Police dismantle yet another network suspected of fraudulently legalising thousands of immigrants

Portugal’s Judicial Police (PJ) have arrested five people suspected of running a criminal network that allegedly fraudulently regularised the immigration status of thousands of foreign nationals over several years, in an investigation spanning corruption, money laundering and document forgery.

The arrests were carried out during Operation Atlantic Mist (“Neblina Atlântica”) in the central and northern regions of Cantanhede, Pombal, Alcobaça and Porto.

According to the PJ, the operation dismantled an organised criminal group suspected of facilitating illegal immigration, criminal association, corruption, money laundering and document forgery.

Among those arrested are three business owners and the head of a regional tax office in central Portugal.

The suspects—two men and two women aged between 33 and 55 with no known criminal records—were detained as part of the investigation, while a 5th man was arrested separately after allegedly being found in possession of a prohibited firearm.

Thousands of fraudulent residency applications

The investigation, launched in September 2025, concluded that the network had been fraudulently securing legal residency documentation for thousands of foreign nationals over a number of years.

Police allege the group generated substantial profits by using sophisticated methods to conceal its activities while deceiving several Portuguese State institutions.

According to investigators, many of the migrants were willing to pay significant sums “in the hope of achieving a better life” by obtaining the documentation required to regularise their status in Portugal.

The PJ said many of those involved were in fact living and working in other European countries while officially appearing in Portuguese tax and social security records as being employed in Portugal, allowing applications for legal status to proceed.

Cash, firearms and documents seized

During searches linked to the operation, investigators seized documentation relating to allegedly fraudulent immigration regularisation processes, computer equipment, three firearms and approximately €50,000 in cash.

Around 90 PJ inspectors and specialists took part in the raids, supported by the force’s Northern Directorate, criminal investigation departments in Aveiro, Leiria and Guarda, as well as specialist technology, financial crime and weapons units.

The suspects are due to appear before an investigating judge for their first judicial hearing, where prosecutors will seek appropriate pre-trial measures.

Source: SIC Notícias

Natasha Donn

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.