The Judicial Police have launched Operation 'Scorched Earth' to investigate a €3.6 million fraud involving European funds allocated for reforestation projects in Madeira. The operation has led to 26 searches in Madeira and Lisbon, identifying seven defendants, including five individuals and two companies. The investigation focuses on potential crimes such as qualified fraud, undue receipt of advantages, corruption, and money laundering, with two women arrested for significant losses linked to false investments in crypto-assets.
Operation "Scorched Earth": Seven defendants under investigation for €3.6 million fraud with European funds in Madeira
Wednesday, 25 February 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
The PJ (Polícia Judiciária) is Portugal's national criminal investigation police agency, founded in 1945. Operating under the Ministry of Justice and supervised by the Public Ministry (prosecutors), the PJ is a "higher criminal police body" specializing in serious and complex crimes. Mission: The PJ assists judicial and prosecuting authorities by investigating terrorism, organized crime, homicide, kidnapping, drug trafficking, corruption, cybercrime, financial crime, and money laundering. It conducts forensic examinations, operates Portugal's Interpol and Europol liaison offices, and maintains specialized units including the National Counterterrorism Unit and National Anti-Corruption Unit. Difference from PSP/GNR: While PSP (civilian urban police) and GNR (military rural police) focus on preventive policing, public order, and investigating minor crimes, the PJ exclusively handles serious crime investigation requiring specialized technical and scientific expertise. PSP and GNR report to the Ministry of Internal Affairs; PJ reports to the Ministry of Justice. PJ officers receive higher pay and prestige but face greater operational risk.
The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) is an EU-level body set up to investigate and prosecute crimes that affect the EU budget, such as subsidy fraud, corruption and money laundering; it became operational on 1 June 2021. Its involvement in a case means investigations can be coordinated across participating EU countries, which matters when judicial police searches target suspected misuse of EU funds.
AI Summary AvailableSearches in Madeira probe €3.6m EU‑fund fraudRead the synthesized summary with context and explainers
View full article on cnnportugal.iol.pt
