This Monday, the Foreigners and Border Guards Service dismantled a transnational criminal organization in Barcelos on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration, recruiting illegal foreign labor, document forgery, computer forgery and money laundering. Five Portuguese were arrested.
The SEF suspects that the group has hired more than 300 foreign workers directly in their countries of origin or in other Schengen countries. Immigrants were used to work in public works, construction work and building component factories scattered throughout the European Community.
Foreign citizens found themselves in a vulnerable position with “a large amount of undeclared tax and social contributions, collection of fees and costs for equipment, transport and legalization of documents.”
The criminals set up a network of shell companies in Portugal and France. In addition, he has several bank accounts owned by nominees.
During Operation Ephemero, 5 arrest warrants and 16 judgments were served against residences and companies in Portugal and France.
Cell phones, IT equipment, company-related documentation, identity papers, large vehicles, luxury goods and more than half a million euros were seized.
Author: morning Post
Source: CM Jornal
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