Latest news and stories about cybercrime in Portugal for expats and residents.
A report from the Public Prosecutor's Office indicates that 81% of cybercrime investigations between 2023 and 2025 were archived, marking the lowest indictment rate among priority crimes.
The Public Prosecution Service has decided to appeal the ruling that acquitted Rui Pinto in the second 'Football Leaks' case, which concerned the unauthorised access to emails from Benfica and other organisations. The court had previously declared the indictment 'invalid' and 'unfounded', citing violations of the defendant's human dignity and the principle against double jeopardy. Rui Pinto had been facing 241 charges related to cybercrimes, though his legal team maintains the decision upholds the integrity of the Portuguese justice system.
Investigators know that there are means to control the situation.
Eighteen defendants are on trial in Leiria for a complex cybercrime and fraud scheme involving the theft of personal data from the Social Security and National Health Service. The group, which included minors at the time, used platforms like Discord and Telegram to impersonate utility companies and pharmacies, issuing fraudulent medical prescriptions for controlled substances. During the first hearing, one of the defendants in preventive detention expressed remorse, citing his struggle with social isolation and his desire to move past the events that led to his arrest.
Eighty-one percent of cybercrimes investigated over the last two years have been archived. The figure was revealed by the Attorney General's Office. In addition to being complex crimes to investigate, the main reasons for this lack of success are the shortage of human and technical resources.
The number of cybercrime cases being closed or archived by authorities has risen.
Hackers stole and leaked personal data from the European Commission's cloud.
A specialist in combating cybercrime, he accepted the invitation after two conversations with Luís Montenegro. The successor to Luís Neves has the support of the PJ structure. And his work goes far beyond the Rui Pinto case.
Computer fraud was the crime that rose the most (29.1%), followed by unauthorised or illegitimate access (8.4%).
The Government's choice of Carlos Cabreiro is a 'continuity solution' that is being received 'with calm' by PJ investigators. The new head of the judiciary police has spent a decade fighting cybercrime and one of his main missions will be to modernise the police force.
For the last ten years, he directed the unit for combating cybercrime
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.
The victim went to the Judiciary Police to file a complaint regarding a scam involving a fake Angolan police officer.
The number of cases reaching the Judiciary Police, APAV, and the Quebrar o Silêncio association is increasing. Minors are also among the victims.
Currently, it is the most reported type of crime in Portugal and one of the most difficult to detect.
International operation focused on combating cyber fraud, computer viruses, and ransomware, with Interpol currently investigating 110 more individuals.
A couple accessed a travel agency's account and booked flights, hotels, and cruises worth 14,000 euros. They were identified by the Braga Judicial Police.
A couple accessed a travel agency's account and booked flights, hotels, and cruises worth 14,000 euros. They were identified by the Braga Judicial Police.
The growing sophistication of these crimes, which include fraudulent calls, deceptive payment schemes, and fake platforms, is causing considerable economic losses and affecting confidence in the Portuguese digital economy.
Losses for the company amount to 14,000 euros.
Losses for the company amount to 14,000 euros.
The Judiciary Police carried out a police operation in Santa Maria da Feira, resulting in two suspects being formally charged with illegitimate access and computer and communications fraud, causing financial loss to a company specialising in travel sales.
INTERVIEW || After Europol warned of an increase in digital terrorism, and the SIS warned this Tuesday that an attack is underway to steal information from politicians and military personnel on WhatsApp or Signal, CNN Portugal spoke with Nuno Mateus-Coelho, an expert in cybersecurity and cyberterrorism, who explains the dangers for Portugal, especially for national SMEs.
Alleged victims are said to have communicated with fake profiles, which extorted thousands of euros from them.
The Office of the Attorney General (PGR) warned on Tuesday about the spread of an email scam aimed at obtaining third-party bank details via a fraudulent page resembling the Autenticação.Gov platform. In a statement, the PGR's Cybercrime Office explains that victims first receive a message about an alleged fine ...
