The Portuguese Judiciary Police (PJ) announced today the arrest of two men, both 28 years old, for suspected crimes of forgery and money laundering. After being presented to a judge for a preliminary hearing, both were placed in preventive detention.
The arrests occurred in flagrante delicto as the suspects, who are not residents of Portugal, attempted to open a bank account using false documentation.
According to the PJ, which began its investigation more than a year ago through its southern directorate, the two men were involved in opening bank accounts within the national territory using multiple false identifications and other forged documents. The intention was to circulate funds obtained through illicit activities, particularly computer fraud.
These accounts opened in Portugal functioned as “transit accounts,” with incoming funds originating from other European countries, suggesting that the suspects were part of a larger network dedicated to laundering illicit money, described the PJ in a statement.
The police reported the seizure of a significant amount of documentary evidence, identifying two dozen bank accounts and over 200 financial transactions made through these accounts.
Despite the arrests, the investigation is ongoing, targeting the full extent of the criminal activities, the PJ added.
