The Judiciary Police (PJ), through the National Unit for Combating Cybercrime and Technological Crime, arrested 18 individuals on Wednesday, March 25, strongly suspected of counterfeiting and using payment cards, computer fraud, and money laundering. The suspects, aged between 23 and 51, were detained during Operation 'Swipe and Cash' across the Greater Lisbon area, Almada, Setúbal, Torres Vedras, Aveiro, and Porto. The investigation began in November 2025 following a report from SIBS regarding suspicious transactions involving cards issued primarily in Southeast Asia. While the total attempted fraud reached nearly 1.9 million euros, the suspects successfully laundered over 500,000 euros. Authorities seized vehicles, cash, ammunition, ballistic vests, narcotics, and various card-skimming equipment.