The network sends fraudulent messages pretending to be banks to steal victims’ personal data and divert money from their accounts.
An alleged family criminal network accused of computer fraud and money laundering is being tried at the São João Novo Court, in Porto, after, according to the Public Ministry (MP), having managed to illegally obtain close to one million euros through online banking fraud schemes between 2022 and 2024.
The main accused is Vítor, currently 25 years old, identified by the authorities as leader of the organization. In total, 19 people are facing courtincluding close family members of the alleged ringleader, including his partner, brother, parents, grandmother and a cousin.
According to the indictment, the group operated from a house in Vila Nova de Gaia and developed a sophisticated scheme based on massive sending of fraudulent messages to capture banking data from individuals and companies.
The frauds involved the creation of fake pages that imitated financial institutions, including Banco de Portugal, Caixa Geral de Depósitos and Novo Banco. Under the pretext of security or data protection operations, victims were taken to provide access codes and other confidential information, allowing suspects to access bank accounts and withdraw funds.
The group also resorted to another fraud method aimed at the business sector. Making up pass by bank employeesthe defendants contacted company managers claiming that their accounts were being targeted by computer attacks. To gain credibility, they presented details about recent banking transactions, convincing victims that they were actually speaking to representatives of their banks, says .
According to the Public Ministry, this strategy made it possible to obtain sensitive financial information and make improper transfers of high amounts. In one of the cases investigated, a businessman reportedly lost around R$200,000 in a single operation.
After obtaining the money, the amounts were allegedly dispersed across a complex network of bank transfers involving third-party accounts.
The gang was dismantled by the Judiciary Police, who conducted the investigation and made the arrests. The defendants face criminal association chargescomputer fraud and money laundering.
In the final arguments presented this Monday, the public prosecutor defended the application of effective prison sentences for those involved, although without specifying the intended duration. Six of the defendants remain in pre-trial detention, while the rest await the court decision in freedom.
