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.