The scam consists of opening a legitimate -looking separator that calls for security data when accessing homebanking.
A businessman from Viseu, Gilberto Araújo, was the victim of a sophisticated computer attack that resulted in the loss of more than 150 thousand euros through the homebanking service. The case, which is already being investigated by the Judicial Police (PJ), exposes the arrival of Pharming to Portugal, a scam that surpasses traditional phishing schemes.
It all started when Araújo tried to pay an electricity bill through his bank’s official portal. Immediately a legitimate -looking emerging window came, requesting safety updates and successive validations, including SMS codes. Despite suspecting, the entrepreneur eventually provided the data before ending the session and contact the bank. Was then informed that they had been several unauthorized transfers are made For national accounts, quickly diverted to other destinations, making the recovery of the amount unlikely, reports the.
Days later, by accessing the homebanking of another bank, he found a fake identical screen, which confirmed the sophistication of the attack. According to PJ, unlike phishing, which uses fraudulent messages and emails with malicious links, Pharming directly manipulates malware infected devices, projecting False pages on official websites.
Between 2023 and 2025, the PJ recorded over 2100 digital scope -related inquiries, of which 509 involve homebanking. The first reference to PhaRming schemes emerged only in February 2025, confirming that this is a recent practice in Portugal.
Illicit transfers often resort to passage accounts, known as Money Mules, often open by people in financial difficulties or recruited under false employment promises. The PJ admits that part of these holders act involuntarily, but defends more severe punishments to lock the phenomenon.
Given the increase in attacks, the Portuguese Banks Association will launch a national awareness campaign on Monday to alert customers about risk, spoofing and identity usurpation.
