European Anti-Fraud Office conducted four investigations in Portugal in 2025
At issue are “alleged irregularities related to EU agricultural subsidies,” states OLAF, which investigates fraud cases that harm the European budget.
Latest news and stories about fraud investigation in Portugal for expats and residents.
At issue are “alleged irregularities related to EU agricultural subsidies,” states OLAF, which investigates fraud cases that harm the European budget.
The investigation originated from complaints forwarded by a Ministry of Education body. The case involves suspicions of fraud related to costs and the issuance of certificates.

Regional government targeted in an inquiry investigating fraud in obtaining subsidies, malfeasance, economic participation in business, and abuse of power.

A brawl in the Brazilian National Congress, involving physical altercations and shouting, led to the suspension of a parliamentary inquiry (CPMI) session investigating a massive social security fraud scandal. The conflict was triggered by the decision to lift the bank secrecy of Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, known as Lulinha, the son of President Lula da Silva. Federal Police are investigating whether Lulinha received payments from Antônio Antunes, a key figure in the 'INSS Spree' scandal, which involved the diversion of over one billion euros in pensions to shell companies. While Lulinha denies receiving the funds, messages seized by police suggest links between him and Antunes regarding business interests in Portugal. The incident has effectively ended the informal 'non-aggression pact' between the government and the opposition, turning the inquiry into a central battleground for the 2026 presidential election.

This article reports on a fraud investigation in Portugal. The Portuguese Judiciary Police (PJ) conducted searches in Lisbon and Funchal (Madeira) regarding suspected fraud involving European funds earmarked for reforestation projects in Madeira. Seven suspects have been identified, and the estimated damages are around 3.6 million euros.

The European Public Prosecutor's Office in Portugal carried out searches at 20 locations today and detained one person on suspicion of fraud involving European Union (EU) funds and money laundering linked to the COVID-19 support programme.
Searches were carried out at 20 locations, including private residences and company headquarters.

The Polícia Judiciária carried out around 20 searches at residences and company premises in Lisbon at the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), as part of an investigation into suspected fraud involving European grants and money laundering in projects related to pandemic prevention. One suspect was detained and will be presented to ...

Social Security currently has 58 open cases of companies suspected of fraudulent declarations in the Lisbon and the Tagus Valley region alone, one of which may have to return around three million euros. The figures were given by the Secretary of State for Social Security, Susana Filipa Lima, who explained that ...
