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Major large-scale cyberattack on refrigeration and cold storage facilities in supermarkets and stores in France and stores in other countries including Portugal

 

 

A major, large-scale cyberattack hit hundreds of supermarkets across France—along with stores in several other European countries like Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Germany—overnight from Sunday into Monday.

Here are the key details of what happened:

Instead of targeting financial databases, customer data, or stealing credit card details, the hackers targeted Operational Technology (OT)—specifically the centralized digital software and IoT control panels used to regulate refrigeration and freezer units.

• The “Defrost” Sabotage: Hackers remotely forced the equipment into extreme defrost cycles, cranking up temperatures in display cases and cold rooms to as high as 50°C (122°F) or more.
• Physical Damage: In addition to spoiling massive amounts of fresh and frozen food (meat, dairy, fish, and produce), the extreme and unexpected heating of the equipment caused a few localized fires and equipment burnout.

Major grocery chains across France reported widespread disruptions, including:

• Intermarché / Netto: Up to 150 to 200 stores affected.
• Coopérative U: Roughly 100 stores impacted, with leadership calling the attack “unprecedented” and completely unacceptable.
• Carrefour: Around 80 outlets hit.
• E. Leclerc and Monoprix: Also reported disruptions across a subset of their locations.

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Compliled by Stephen R Davies with help from his trusty AI assistant

Total financial losses for certain individual stores ran into the hundreds of thousands of euros in ruined merchandise alone, forcing supermarkets to temporarily close specific aisles, dump mountains of spoiled food, and conduct heavy safety checks.

• The Culprit Vector: Initial technical indications point toward vulnerabilities in legacy or unpatched remote refrigeration controllers—specifically older software and hardware configurations (such as certain Danfoss/industrial controllers) that lacked adequate secure communication boundaries or were running outdated firmware.
• Official Action: France’s national cybersecurity agency, ANSSI, launched an immediate large-scale investigation alongside the Paris prosecutor’s office. Because the spillover affected multiple European nations, French authorities are closely coordinating with international counterparts.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the retail sector, serving as a stark wake-up call regarding the physical vulnerabilities of connecting critical supply-chain infrastructure and “smart” industrial appliances to the web.

Several major supermarket groups operating in Portugal utilize centralized or regionalized Operational Technology (OT) management networks for their store infrastructure:

• Intermarché Portugal: Operating under the Os Mosqueteiros group, Intermarché shares IT/OT frameworks with its French parent company. Certain stores running the compromised remote Danfoss controller software experienced forced defrost cycles, forcing Portuguese franchise managers to dispose of spoiled chilled and frozen inventory.
• Auchan / Carrefour Supply Networks: While direct store-level equipment hacks in Portugal were localized to specific facilities running vulnerable legacy firmware, multi-national chains faced immediate operational slowdowns while verifying and isolating their system controls to prevent further penetration.

Because the attack forced hundreds of distribution hubs and hypermarkets in France, Spain, and Belgium to dump massive quantities of perishable goods, fresh produce, dairy, and cold-chain logistics between France/Spain and Portugal were thrown into disarray:

• Import schedules for dairy, cold meats, and pre-packaged chilled goods arriving into Portugal from central European distribution hubs faced immediate delays or cancellations as suppliers scrambled to re-verify cold-chain integrity.

Portugal’s National Cybersecurity Center (CNCS – Centro Nacional de Cibersegurança) and local retail federations immediately issued high-priority advisories following the incident:

• OT Isolation Protocols: Portuguese commercial entities and food distribution warehouses using IoT-connected industrial refrigeration (e.g., Danfoss or Copeland controllers) were instructed to temporarily disconnect remote-management interfaces from the public internet.
• Urgent Firmware Audits: Tech teams across major Portuguese retailers (including Jerónimo Martins / Pingo Doce and Sonae / Continente) were forced into overnight security audits to ensure their cold-storage IoT hardware was patched and isolated behind secure VPN boundaries.

 

 

Portuguese researchers studied an “exceptional sequence” of seven atmospheric rivers in less than a month.

 

A series of seven atmospheric rivers swept across the Iberian Peninsula between January and February. The phenomenon was studied by researchers at the University of Évora.

The Iberian Peninsula was hit by an “exceptional sequence” of seven atmospheric rivers in less than a month, between January and February of this year, a phenomenon observed and studied by the University of Évora, it was announced this Sunday (11).

“We had an exceptional sequence of atmospheric rivers during that period, with very significant consequences for the territory,” said Miguel Potes, director of the Research Center in Science and Technology for the Earth and Energy System (CREATE) at the University of Évora (UÉvora).

According to the researcher, this sequence of events constituted, at the same time, “a unique opportunity to observe the atmospheric processes associated with moisture transport.”

To study what was happening above the surface, the university participated in an international campaign to “study physical and dynamic processes” that “trigger strong winds and precipitation and intrusions of dry air in the North Atlantic and the Euro-Mediterranean region,” also analyzing “what is represented in weather forecasting models,” explained the University of Évora.

This campaign, he emphasized, “had the fortunate coincidence of occurring during a winter with several exceptional episodes of wind and precipitation in Europe, and especially in the Iberian Peninsula,” which was hit by “seven atmospheric rivers” during that period.

The events in January and February left soils saturated and reservoirs full, causing flooding, the University of Évora noted.

At the same time, he stressed, they offered “a rare opportunity to observe, at altitude, the atmosphere that carried large amounts of moisture from the Atlantic.”

In the Alentejo region, “the rain left a particularly noticeable mark.”

In February, CREATE stations recorded 252.8 millimeters of precipitation in Portel, 243.8 in Évora, and 252.1 at the Polo da Mitra station, 12 kilometers from this city.

“These figures are part of an exceptionally intense rainfall episode in mainland Portugal which, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA), made February 2026 the rainiest February in the last 47 years and the fifth rainiest since 1931,” the statement reads.

As part of the EUROP project – European University RadioSonde Partnership, 14 radiosondes were launched from the Atmospheric Sciences Observatory of CREATE in Évora.

“Radiosondes are small instruments carried by a helium-filled balloon that rise through the atmosphere and measure, among other variables, temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind,” the researcher explained.

The goal is to “understand what is happening in the atmosphere at altitude, monitoring the structure and transport of moisture during the passage of these systems.”

The data collected “have a second life beyond the research” because they are used for numerical weather forecasting models , which means the research can have consequences for the future.

“The question is not only whether an atmospheric river will reach the Iberian Peninsula. It is necessary to predict its trajectory, the amount of moisture it carries, and how that moisture will interact with other air masses to produce precipitation,” emphasized Miguel Potes.

The CREATE team at the University of Évora, composed of researchers and doctoral students, is preparing for a new campaign in the upcoming winter, intending to carry out new radiosonde surveys “during the passage of meteorological systems of interest” for the research.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The GNR (National Republican Guard) recorded 193 fraud crimes committed by fake officials between January 2024 and May 31, 2026 

 

Porto, Lisbon and  highest in scams involving fake police officers and inspectors from ASEA  and Judicial police

The GNR (National Republican Guard) recorded 193 fraud crimes committed by fake officials between January 2024 and May 31, 2026, the authority informs in a statement, explaining that “the suspects impersonate members of the security forces or inspectors of public entities to deceive citizens and merchants, resorting to intimidation, psychological manipulation and technologies that allow them to falsify the telephone numbers presented to the victims”.

The data reveals a worrying trend: after 69 cases in 2024 and 76 in 2025, 48 occurrences have already been recorded in the first five months of 2026.

Impersonating officials is one of the main strategies used by fraudsters. Fake inspectors from the Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE) are associated with 69 incidents, while individuals posing as inspectors from the Judiciary Police (PJ) are responsible for 67 registered cases of this type of crime.

Next are scams perpetrated by individuals posing as members of the Public Security Police (PSP), with 22 occurrences, and by individuals presenting themselves as members of the National Republican Guard (GNR), with 17 cases. Other approaches, related to alleged orders, loans, and various forms of coercion, total 18 occurrences.

In cases involving ASAE (Portuguese Food Safety and Economic Authority), suspects threaten inspections, infractions, and high fines, then propose the immediate payment of a supposedly reduced fine to avoid legal consequences.

In these fraudulent investigations, criminals claim that victims are involved in serious crimes, money laundering, or cyberattacks. Under the pretext of protecting their money, they convince them to transfer their savings to alleged safe-haven accounts.

Fraudsters are able to impersonate the phone numbers of authorities.

The telephone and mobile phone are the main means of contact used in this type of crime, having been identified in 142 of the 193 occurrences.

To reinforce the credibility of calls, suspects frequently resort to caller ID spoofing , a technique that allows them to manipulate the number displayed on the recipient’s screen. In this way, the victim can see the real public number of a GNR (National Republican Guard) station, a PSP (Public Security Police) station, or a PJ (Judicial Police) department, even though the call was not made by those entities.

During these contacts, the authors often adopt a formal, brusque, and authoritarian stance, creating an atmosphere of urgency that makes it difficult to verify the information.

The goal is to prevent the victim from hanging up, trying to confirm the facts, or contacting the authorities directly through official channels.

Another identified method involves false accident alerts. In these cases, scammers contact citizens, particularly older people, claiming that a close relative has caused a serious accident or has been arrested. The call ends with a demand for immediate payment for supposed compensation or to resolve the situation.

Porto, Lisbon and Setúbal have the highest concentration of incidents.

The geographical distribution of crimes places the Porto district in first position, with 33 occurrences, followed by Lisbon, with 23, and Setúbal, with 18.

Regarding the locations chosen to approach the victims, private residences are the most frequent setting, with 88 cases. Commercial and restaurant establishments come in second place, with 56 occurrences. There were also 30 approaches recorded in public streets, nine of which occurred in 2026.

Temporal analysis indicates that fraudsters favor daytime hours: 74 crimes occurred during the morning and 72 during the afternoon. Thursday was the day of the week with the most occurrences, accounting for 45 cases, followed by Friday, with 33.

Among the 172 identified victims, those aged between 51 and 64 stand out, representing 49 cases. This is followed by victims between 41 and 50 years old, with 33 recorded cases.

Given the evolution of this type of crime, the GNR (National Republican Guard) advises the public to be wary of unexpected contacts demanding immediate payments, personal data, or banking information.

The National Republican Guard (GNR) emphasizes that citizens should not make transfers or provide confidential data over the phone based on alleged inspections, investigations, or family emergencies, and also recommends that formal identification of agents be requested and that information be confirmed through the official contacts of the entities involved.

Even when the number displayed on the screen appears legitimate, the call should not be considered proof of the identity of the person on the other end of the line.

In situations involving alleged fines or penalties, citizens should be wary of offers of discounts in exchange for immediate payment by telephone or through digital means, and if they suspect an attempted scam, they should hang up and contact the authorities directly through official channels.

The GNR (National Republican Guard) also appeals for the reporting of these situations, even when the attempt does not result in financial loss. Whenever possible, relevant information should be preserved, such as phone numbers, messages, proof of payment, and other elements that may help in the investigation.

 

 

 

 

Algarve and Alentejo recorded nine deaths during the bathing season

 

Nine of the 30 deaths recorded by the National Maritime Authority (AMN) between May 1 and September 30 occurred in the Algarve and Alentejo regions. Albufeira and Mértola were the most affected municipalities, with two fatalities each, during a period in which 1418 rescues and 2609 first aid actions were carried out throughout the country.

The report on the first five months of the 2026 bathing season, released by the National Maritime Authority, reveals that the Algarve recorded six fatalities, while the Alentejo region recorded three. In the South, the cases were distributed across supervised and unsupervised beaches, as well as unsupervised river areas.

The distribution of accidents reveals a reality that is particularly relevant to beach safety: 11 deaths occurred on supervised beaches and another 11 on unsupervised beaches. Five people died on beaches that, at the time of the accident, were outside their respective beach surveillance period, while another three deaths occurred in unsupervised maritime areas.

In the case of the 17 drownings, the National Maritime Authority explains that four occurred on guarded beaches, eight on unguarded beaches, two on beaches outside the bathing season and without lifeguards at the time of the accident, and three in other unguarded maritime areas.

Of the 12 deaths attributed to sudden illness, six occurred on lifeguarded beaches, three in other unguarded maritime areas, and three on beaches that were outside the bathing lifeguard period.

In addition to the fatalities, the report also details the scale of assistance provided on Portuguese beaches over these five months.

Between May 1st and September 30th, 1418 rescues and 2609 first aid actions were carried out, which together correspond to 4027 rescue or assistance interventions.

The figures now released refer to maritime, river, or lake beaches that fall under the jurisdiction of the National Maritime Authority and cover a period from the beginning of May to the end of September, therefore including accidents that occurred before or after the official surveillance period for some beaches.

In the Algarve, the first deaths occurred in June, both in Albufeira and due to drowning. On June 11th, a person died at Praia do Peneco and, on the 27th, another at Praia de São Rafael. In both cases, these were supervised beaches.

On July 23, a person died due to sudden illness at Praia do Cabeço , in Vila Real de Santo António, classified by the AMN (National Maritime Authority) as an unguarded maritime beach.

September brought three more deaths to the Algarve beaches. On the 23rd, a person drowned at Praia do Pintadinho, in Lagoa, and four days later, on the 27th, another victim died due to sudden illness at Praia da Bordeira , in Aljezur. Both are listed in the National Maritime Authority’s report as supervised beaches.

In addition to these cases, there was also the death on September 26th at Praia da Prainha , which the AMN (National Maritime Authority) includes among the accidents that occurred on unsupervised beaches, pointing to drowning as the probable cause.

The Guadiana River claimed two lives in Mértola.

In the Alentejo region, two of the three fatal accidents occurred at the same location: Azenhas do Guadiana, in Mértola. The first death occurred on June 7th and the second on July 4th. In both cases, the National Maritime Authority points to drowning as the probable cause and identifies the location as an unsupervised river or lake beach.

The third fatality recorded in the Alentejo region occurred on July 28th, at Praia de São Torpes Sul, in Sines. The person was on an unguarded beach, and the probable cause of death, according to the AMN (National Maritime Authority), was a sudden illness.

Thus, of the nine deaths that occurred in the Algarve and Alentejo regions, five were likely caused by drowning and four by sudden illness. Four occurred on supervised beaches and the remaining five on unsupervised beaches or river areas.

Nationally, the National Maritime Authority recorded 30 fatal accidents between May 1st and September 30th. Of these, 17 were likely caused by drowning, 12 resulted from sudden illness, and in one case, the cause is still unknown.

The distribution of accidents reveals a reality that is particularly relevant to beach safety: 11 deaths occurred on supervised beaches and another 11 on unsupervised beaches. Five people died on beaches that, at the time of the accident, were outside their respective beach surveillance period, while another three deaths occurred in unsupervised maritime areas.

In the case of the 17 drownings, the National Maritime Authority explains that four occurred on guarded beaches, eight on unguarded beaches, two on beaches outside the bathing season and without lifeguards at the time of the accident, and three in other unguarded maritime areas.

Of the 12 deaths attributed to sudden illness, six occurred on lifeguarded beaches, three in other unguarded maritime areas, and three on beaches that were outside the bathing lifeguard period.

In addition to the fatalities, the report also details the scale of assistance provided on Portuguese beaches over these five months.

Between May 1st and September 30th, 1418 rescues and 2609 first aid actions were carried out, which together correspond to 4027 rescue or assistance interventions.

The figures now released refer to maritime, river, or lake beaches that fall under the jurisdiction of the National Maritime Authority and cover a period from the beginning of May to the end of September, therefore including accidents that occurred before or after the official surveillance period for some beaches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fighting Wildfires – Those who have lost their lives in the line of duty

 

The tragic death of Maria João Carneiro a 24-year-old volunteer firefighter from Resende, Viseu District, on 25^th September 2026, once again highlights the dangers those in the emergency services can face in carrying out their work.

The President of the Republic, António José Seguro, in a statement published on his website, wrote that “her death, in the line of duty, being an example of selflessness, professionalism and courage, represents an irreparable loss for the institution and for the entire community,” offering his condolences.

The Portuguese Firefighters League (LBP) also lamented, in a statement, of the loss of yet another firefighter in the line of duty. “This is the second loss of firefighters on duty recorded this year, adding to the 257 who have died in the last 46 years.”

For those of us who have worked in the emergency services, know that in undertaking your work, you can encounter life-threatening situations. This is the case in fighting fires, dealing with violent criminals, or participating in high risk operations, at sea, in the air, or on the ground. As a police officer myself for over 30 years, I certainly faced situations that if they had gone wrong could have resulted in serious injury or worse.

In major fires for instance, there is always a risk, and in fighting these the safety of the firefighting team is the top priority. However this can never be guaranteed, regardless of the precautions in place.

The LBP stated in 2020, that 231 firefighters died, in the previous 40 years, 41% of whom, were travelling in fire fighting vehicles. Xavier Viegas, an expert on forest fires who coordinates the Centre for Studies at the University of Coimbra, agrees that emergency driving is a major factor in the number of fatalities among firefighters

The worst year was 1985 when 19 firefighters died, including 14 in the Armamar fire.

Southern Europe Study

The results of a study was published in the International Journal of Wildland Fires in 2019, analysing forest fire fatalities in Southern Europe: Spain, Portugal, Greece and Sardinia (Italy). One of the authors was Professor Domingos Veigas mentioned earlier. The analysis covered 865 fatalities caused by wildfires in the study area from 1945–2016. The following are some of the key findings.

Concerning the professional status of the victims, results show that civilians record the higher percentage of deaths 42.3%, followed by firefighters 30.8%, aircraft crew 11.1%, and army personnel 3.5%.

Results show a major rise of fatalities in late 1970s in these four regions/countries. Civilians were the most affected group in Greece (65%) and Sardinia (58%), but not in Spain and Portugal, where firefighters were the most affected group; in Spain (35.5%) and Portugal (43.5%). Firefighters accounted for 22.4% of the fatalities in Sardinia and 11.8% in Greece. Aircraft crew fatalities were major contributors to the rest not covered by civilian and firefighters.

The main causes of death based in 686 fatalities (where cause of death could be established) were burns and suffocation 446 (65%), health problems 123 (18%) and aerial accidents 72 (10%).

With regard to the activity being performed by victims at the time of the incident, most frequent was firefighting (41.6%) followed by evacuation (13%), agricultural activities (10.3%), being aboard an aircraft (10%) and protecting property (8.3%).

 

More recent fatalities in Portugal:

Between 2017 and 2025, 27 firefighters were victims of rural fires and 156 civilian victims were also recorded, a number marked by the tragedy of Pedrógão Grande in 2017.

In September 2024 – Three firefighters lost their lives in Tábuas after a fire-fighting vehicle skidded off the road and caught fire. The three belonged to the Vila Nova de Oliveirinha fire brigade. Sónia Melo was 36 years old, Susana Carvalho was 44 years old and Paulo Santos was 38.

Deaths have also included firefighters working for private companies. In August 2025 a firefighter died while battling fire in the municipality of Sabugal”, in the north of the country. The 45-year-old firefighter worked for a private firefighting company.

In August 2024, a forest firefighting helicopter crashed into the Douro River near Samodães, in Lamego, killing five GNR officers, aged 29 to 45. The pilot was rescued alive with only minor injuries. They were returning to base from fighting a fire in Gestaçô,

This is not the first time a firefighting helicopter has crashed. A helicopter fighting a fire in Castro Daire, Viseu, crashed in August 2017, killing the pilot, Américo Sousa, aged 51 years. The helicopter crashed into high-voltage cables, and burned, and the pilot was trapped in the helicopter

 

The Risks firefighters risk in fighting wildfires

The risks posed by wildfire firefighting are different from those related to any other type of fire suppression context (such as urban fires). Firefighters may participate in several wildfire occurrences per year and remain on the fire scene for several days (for multiple shifts with little downtime) in very hazardous and unpredictable conditions.

Firefighters face many risks that can cause immediate or long-term consequences on their health and well-being. World Fire Statistics show that, between 2016 and 2020, an annual average of almost 70.000 firefighters were injured, and 86 firefighters lose their lives during firefighting occurrences. Cardiac events have been considered an important cause of death among firefighters during fire ground operations, In the USA, for example, sudden cardiac death (usually heart attacks) continues to be the leading cause of death among firefighters on duty, and has occurred occasionally here in Portugal.

These sudden cardiac events have been associated with different factors such as heat stress, exertion, dehydration, shift work, and stress (Guidotti, 2014), as well as with risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, and lack of physical fitness. In addition, mortality rates have been largely associated with aviation-related incidents, entrapments, and fire vehicle accidents). The last is a common cause of firefighter mortality worldwide and is often related to excessive speed and the misuse of seat belts (International Association of Fire Chiefs, 2008).

These risks are increasing as wildfires become more intense, are burning for longer periods, affecting larger areas and air temperatures become more extreme.

Firefighting, be it on the ground or in the air is a high risk profession. We give our gratitude therefore to all involved, in fighting fires, carrying our evacuations in often hazardous conditions, those treating injured persons and those providing logistical support at fire scenes. Our condolences to the families and colleagues of all those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

 

PSP recorded more than 54,000 crimes against the elderly in the last three years.

 

According to the PSP (Portuguese Public Security Police), elderly victims of crime have an average age of 73, with men being the majority victims of property crimes and women of crimes against persons.

The PSP (Portuguese Public Security Police) recorded more than 54,000 crimes against the elderly in the last three years, with pickpocketing on the rise since 2024, the police revealed this Thursday, coinciding with the International Day of Older Persons.

“The trend is towards relative stabilization. When we analyse reported crime against the elderly in the post-Covid period, especially in years 23, 24 and 25, we see a tendency towards stabilization between 17,500 and 18,500 reports per year,” said the head of the Crime Prevention and Community Policing Division of the PSP (Public Security Police), Hugo Guinote, in an interview with the Lusa news agency.

According to the official, property crime, especially theft and fraud, is prevalent, while assaults and domestic violence stand out among crimes against persons.

According to data released to Lusa, the Public Security Police recorded 54,275 crimes against the elderly in three years , having received 18,432 complaints in 2023, decreasing to 17,613 in 2024 and increasing again last year to 18,230.

Evolution and typology of crimes

In 2024, 2,488 complaints of fraud were recorded, including 1,635 computer and communications fraud, 1,026 burglaries, 1,822 domestic violence cases, 1,243 cases of simple physical assault, and 859 cases of threats and coercion.

The following year, the PSP (Public Security Police) recorded 1,006 thefts by pickpockets against elderly people, 938 burglaries in residences, 805 scams, 1,814 crimes of domestic violence, 1,250 for simple assault, and 864 for threats and coercion.

In 2025, pickpocketing thefts increased to 1,227, followed by 1,894 domestic violence crimes, 1,248 simple assault offenses, 997 burglaries, 853 frauds, and 825 threats and coercion.

Victim profile

According to the PSP (Portuguese Public Security Police), elderly victims of crime have an average age of 73 , with men being the majority victims of property crimes and women of crimes against persons.

Last year, 44% of domestic violence crimes were of a non-marital nature , mostly perpetrated by children against parents .

Prevention and community policing

Hugo Guinote indicated that the PSP (Public Security Police) has been “continuously carrying out hundreds of awareness-raising actions” in day centers, nursing homes, and door-to-door campaigns.

“In these campaigns, we are alerting the elderly to certain self-protective behaviours, whether in their homes or on their way between their homes and places they normally frequent, such as where they go shopping or when they go to withdraw money,” he said.

“The fact that we have more and more elderly people in our country, but that crime rates are relatively stable, suggests that the elderly are increasingly adopting self-protective behaviours,” he argued.

According to Hugo Guinote, the PSP (Public Security Police) has between 300 and 350 police officers nationwide who, either exclusively or in conjunction with their duties in the Safe School program, are implementing the Support 65 – Seniors in Safety program , an initiative of the Ministry of Internal Administration created to protect the senior population , with a special focus on seniors who live in isolation or in situations of greater social vulnerability.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A €300 million fraud involving used mobile phones has been dismantled in 19 European countries.

 

An operation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) dismantled an alleged criminal network suspected of selling more than one million used mobile phones in 19 European countries, causing losses that could reach 300 million euros for consumers.

The operation, named Troja, involved approximately 1,770 agents from police, tax, and customs authorities and led to more than 160 searches in 19 European countries. Seven people were arrested, including alleged leaders of the organization.

According to the EPPO, the network operated through an international structure that extended from Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates to several European countries and e-commerce platforms. Investigators suspect the group used shell companies to develop a scheme related to VAT payments and market equipment as new when it was actually built from used components.

Mobile phones were assembled using used components.
According to the investigation, the mobile phones were assembled from used components in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates. After being prepared, the devices were cleaned and repackaged before being shipped to the Netherlands.

From there, the devices were sent to warehouses in Germany, where they were subsequently put up for sale through e-commerce platforms in various European Union countries.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office suspects that the network managed to place more than one million devices on the market through this circuit, presenting the mobile phones to buyers as if they were new.

The investigation points to a transnational operation, with different stages of the activity spread across various countries and continents.

Shell companies allegedly used to circumvent VAT.
One of the central components of the alleged fraud is related to sales taxation. According to the EPPO, the organization used shell companies located in Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland to benefit from a VAT regime intended for second-hand goods.

In addition to the tax component, the investigation seeks to determine the impact of the operation on consumers. EPPO estimates that losses could reach 300 million euros.

 

The scale of the investigated operation is reflected in the number of devices involved: more than one million mobile phones are believed to have been sold through the network.

The devices were presented as new despite, according to investigators, having been assembled using used components, subsequently cleaned and repackaged before reaching the market.

Over 10,000 pieces of equipment seized in Germany.

During operations carried out by the authorities, thousands of pieces of equipment were seized.

In a warehouse located in Krefeld, in western Germany, authorities reportedly found between 10,000 and 15,000 devices, according to information released by WELT.

The operation involved a significant mobilization of resources. Approximately 1,770 police, tax, and customs agents participated in the actions coordinated by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, which resulted in more than 160 searches carried out in 19 European countries.

Seven people were arrested during the operation, including individuals whom authorities consider to be alleged leaders of the organization under investigation.

The investigation began following a warning from OLAF.

The searches carried out as part of Operation Troja follow a previous investigation by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

The authorities involved in the operation are now investigating several suspicions related to the network’s activities. Among the crimes under investigation are smuggling, trademark infringement, and participation in a criminal organization.

The investigation thus seeks to clarify not only the extent of the alleged tax fraud, but also the origin of the equipment, how it was introduced into the commercial circuit, and the role played by the different companies and individuals involved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tap water quality in Portugal remains above 98% for the 11th consecutive year.

 

This value is the result of combining the mandatory analyses (99.91%) and compliance with the parametric values ​​(98.93%).

Last year, mainland Portugal had a tap water safety indicator close to 100%, marking the 11th consecutive year since then, according to data released this Tuesday by the Water and Waste Sector Regulatory Authority (ERSAR).

According to this year’s Annual Water and Waste Services Report (RASARP), regarding 2025, 98.84% of tap water is safe, a figure obtained by combining the number of mandatory analyses (99.91%) with compliance with parametric values ​​(98.93%).

With the data now available, it has been 11 consecutive years in which the water quality indicator has been at 99%, according to the report accessed by Lusa, which indicates that safe water at the pump level (collection, treatment and transport to municipalities) maintains a value of 99.69%, while safe water at the pump level (distribution to consumers) shows a value of 98.84%.

Susana Rodrigues, director of the quality department at ERSAR, says there are “some problems” with smaller systems, and adds that larger systems offer greater safety, partly because they are more professionalized.

Last year, 74,473 analyses were carried out on the water supply, all of which were scheduled, and of those, only 229 (0.31%) were incorrect.

In the low-pressure safe water system, 392,667 analyses were carried out (99.1% of the planned total), and 4,235 (1.07%) were non-compliant, a figure partly explained by poor quality in some public fountains.

Compared to the previous year, the percentage of safe water increased from 98.86% in 2024 to 98.84% in 2025. The number of municipalities with water quality equal to or greater than 99% remained the same (225, or 81%), and 42 municipalities (15%) recorded 100% safe water (five fewer than in 2024).

There are still 51 municipalities with safe water quality above 95% but below 99%. This number is identical to that in 2024.

According to ERSAR’s maps, the best results (equal to or greater than 99%) occupy most of the country, with the exception of some regions of Alentejo and municipalities in the central and northern interior.

Most non-compliances relate to pH (31%) and microbiological parameters (38%), due respectively to natural characteristics of the water and failures in disinfection systems.

Two municipalities marked in “red” did not exceed 95%: Marco de Canaveses and Fornos de Algodres.

In the first case, the lowest value relates to analyses of water from public fountains, which, according to Susana Rodrigues, should not even be used since they coexist with tap water, which is of “excellent quality”.

In Fornos de Algodres, it was merely an administrative matter related to the expired certification of the analysis technician.

“The essential message is that there is no such thing as unsafe water,” said the official during the report’s presentation, pointing to the importance of municipalities connecting to high-pressure systems.

Vera Eiró, president of the Board of Directors of ERSAR, also argued that “what provides the most guarantee is a connection from a low-pressure system to a high-pressure system,” adding that the trend is for municipalities to be more coordinated, centered on a joint entity.

According to ERSAR, only 62 municipalities are vertically integrated, responsible for both the high and low pressure water systems, and there are still 180 public fountains as the sole source of drinking water, serving 8,797 inhabitants.

In the interior of the country, in the downturned sector, are the systems that are most difficult to manage, with more supply zones.

If a municipality has many supply zones, often managed by parish councils, it can lead to “non-compliance with microbiology standards,” so ideally these locations should be connected to high-pressure systems, emphasized Susana Rodrigues.

The official also explained that new analysis parameters were introduced last year, but that there was no drop in quality.

Last year, ERSAR carried out 60 inspections of management entities, issuing fines to 32 (especially for failures in the disclosure of data), and ASAE carried out 128 inspections of private water supply systems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first of several protests by security forces demanding salary increases kicks off in Porto.

 

28 September 2026. More protest actions are planned in seven other cities. A national demonstration is also on the table, depending on the outcome of meetings with the Minister of Internal Affairs on Tuesday.

GNR and PSP are demonstrating this Monday in Porto , where they are on their way to the City Hall . This is just the first of several protests scheduled for other cities in the country.

They feel abandoned. The PSP officers gathered at the Command headquarters this Monday to then march through the city together to demand that the promised salary increases be fulfilled.

“We are talking about institutions – PSP and GNR – that have been the poor relation of the police sector, that is, we have increased our capabilities, we have replaced other police forces, in the case of SEF, but we continue with the same salaries or with a very low valuation for what was necessary,” said the leader of the Police Professionals’ Union Association, Paulo Santos.

In the morning , the Minister of Internal Administration spoke at a tourism meeting about the need for security in the country and for increased patrolling in major cities .

“The Ministry came up with a separate supplement at the last meeting. Everything is fine. The professionals want to see the situation resolved [but] not through supplements (…). We cannot be here negotiating supplement by supplement,” said César Nogueira, president of the Association of Professionals of the National Republican Guard.

The parade of PSP officers will begin as the sun has set. They will join the parade of GNR military personnel at the City Hall.

More similar protest actions are planned in seven other cities, and the Police Professionals ‘ Union Association is even leaving open the possibility of a national demonstration, depending on how the meetings with the Minister of Internal Administration go , with whom they already have a meeting scheduled for this Tuesday

 

 

PSP – Weapons related crime and assaults in schools highest in 5 years

 

The number of assault and weapons-related crimes committed in schools during the last academic year was the highest in the last five years, with sexual assault and drug trafficking also increasing, the PSP (Portuguese Public Security Police) revealed today.

The report from the Safe School Program (PES) of the PSP for the 2025/26 school year, released today and to which Lusa had access, reveals that the majority of crimes registered within the scope of the PES are related to bodily harm, totalling 1,426, and insults and threats (920), with these occurrences having increased by 10.5% and 3.1%, respectively, compared to the previous school year.

“Of the eight types of crimes monitored, bodily harm and insults and threats have been the predominant crimes in the last five school years, also showing a trend of increasing numbers of crimes from the 2021/2022 school year (after the pandemic),” reads the document, which highlights that the 2025/26 school year recorded the highest number of bodily harm crimes in the last five years.

The crime of possession and use of weapons also reached its highest level in the last five academic years.

According to the PSP (Portuguese Public Security Police), in the last school year, 60 weapons were detected in schools (3 firearms, 50 bladed weapons and 7 weapons of other types), which translates to an increase of 11.1% compared to the 2024/25 school year.

Last school year, the PSP (Portuguese Public Security Police) detected one more firearm and seven more bladed weapons than the previous year.

In the assessment document of the Safe School Program, this police force highlights that “there is a growing trend in the number of sexual offense crimes since the 2023/24 school year,” having recorded 103 crimes in the last school year, which corresponds to an increase of 18.4% compared to the previous school year.

Drug trafficking also increased in schools during the last school year, with the PSP (Portuguese Public Security Police) detecting 22 crimes, a 69% increase compared to the 2024/25 school year.

Conversely, the Public Security Police recorded the lowest number of robbery crimes (67) in the last five school years, with a decreasing trend in the prevalence of this type of crime since the 2022/2023 school year.

The PSP also recorded the lowest number of theft crimes (324) since the 2023/2024 school year.

Most crimes occur inside school premises, with bodily harm, insults and threats, and theft being the most prevalent, while robbery and drug trafficking occur more frequently outside schools, according to the document.

Incidents related to bullying and cyberbullying also increased. In the 2025/26 school year, 155 situations related to bullying were recorded (+25 compared to the previous school year) and 25 related to cyberbullying (+1 compared to the previous school year).

Incidents related to behaviors associated with bullying and cyberbullying had been showing a downward trend since the 2022/2023 school year, a trend that ceased in the last school year.

The PSP (Portuguese Public Security Police) recorded 4,075 incidents in the last school year, representing a 4.6% increase compared to the previous school year, of which 2,898 were criminal in nature and 1,177 were non-criminal.

Most situations not classified as crimes correspond to disruptions of school activities (508) and situations of possession/consumption of drugs (49), the report adds, representing an increase of 17.9% and 28.9% respectively compared to the 2024/25 school year.