In a statement, the PJ, through the Northern Directorate, reports that the detainees are indicted for the continued and organised practice of the crimes of qualified fraud, computer fraud, and money laundering, “committed via the Internet, which caused a property loss to the victims estimated at hundreds of thousands of euros”.

“The ‘modus operandi’ consisted of creating false profiles through social networks to later be used to advertise the rental of holiday homes, located in various parts of the country”, explains the PJ.

A source linked to the investigation told Lusa agency that all the arrests took place in Greater Porto.

They state that, “after being persuaded, the victims made payments, as a reservation, to bank accounts held by third parties, raised for the purpose (Money Mule) and, subsequently, used by the perpetrators of the scams to receive of the advantages arising from these illicit acts”.

Through this scheme, the defendants managed, according to the PJ, “to obtain illegitimate enrichment, making it a way of life”.

“As part of this police operation, which had the participation of 75 investigators from the Northern Directorate and the PJ Center Directorate, 23 home searches were carried out, during which various evidentiary material was seized, and two other men were also detained for possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition”, the statement also states.