MIGUEL PEREIRA DA SILVA / LUSA
The scheme consisted of fake firefighters and would be connivated by the Portuguese Association of Veterans of War.
According to the, GNR dismantled a Hierarchical criminal network which operated through various cells and accumulated thousands of euros over two decades with false peditries on behalf of the firefighters.
The investigation points to the connivance of the Portuguese Association of Veterans of War, which was the target of searches under the operation “The Scheme”. As a result, eight individuals and two entities They were constituted arguments for burla, capital bleaching and criminal association.
The method used by the burns was simple but effective. Small groups of three to four people were positioned at intersections, roundabouts and traffic lights in different cities, addressing stopped motorists. Wearing red -like red uniforms, the involved requested donations to finance the purchase of ambulances for local corporations. However, firefighters were completely unaware of fraud and never received the money.
If they were approached by authorities, the criminals claimed to be Sell Tickets for a Draw Promoted by the Portuguese Association of War Veterans, allegedly authorized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI). Thus, they avoided any immediate accountability.
The investigation began in 2020, conducted by the GNR Criminal Investigation Center of Viseu. Investigators suspect that the Portuguese Association of War Veterans received a percentage of profits of the scheme. In 2023, this entity declared revenues of 70 thousand euros with a “national draw”, a value that in the previous year reached 95 thousand euros.
False Angels also received part of the money collected, sustaining exclusively from this activity. The remaining amount was distributed by the top elements of the criminal network, including its leader, residing in Lisbon.
According to GNR, eight men were argued, aged between 24 and 65 years, as well as two institutions. Despite the accusations of burla, laundering of capital and criminal association, No one was arrested.
The “The Scheme” operation mobilized 68 GNR military personnel from Viseu, Braga, Leiria and Lisbon, as well as the direction of criminal investigation. In total, 20 searches were performed in various locations, resulting in the seizure of 27 thousand eurosdozens of bank uniforms and documents, including international transfer records.
