Portuguese police bust network for fraudulent regularization of thousands of immigrants

The Portuguese Judicial Police (PJ) has dismantled a criminal network suspected of facilitating the fraudulent regularization of thousands of foreign nationals in Portugal. The operation, dubbed "Neblina Atlántica," led to the arrest of five individuals across several locations, including Cantanhede, Pombal, Alcobaça, and Porto.

Among those detained are three businessmen and a regional tax service chief, who face charges including aiding illegal immigration, corruption, money laundering, and document forgery. The investigation, launched in September 2025, revealed that the group allegedly operated for years, exploiting state institutions to obtain significant financial benefits by processing irregular legalizations for immigrants.

According to the PJ, immigrants paid large sums for documentation, often while working in other European countries but registered as employed in Portugal with the Tax and Social Security authorities. During the operation, authorities seized extensive documentation related to foreign national regularizations, computer equipment, three firearms, and approximately 50,000 euros in cash. The five arrested individuals, aged between 33 and 55, are awaiting their first judicial interrogation.