The PJ has indicated the detention of a woman in Portugal in the context of an international investigation of Belgian transport companies, which will have injured the Social Security of this country in about seven million euros.
According to PJ, the woman was detained for crimes of tax fraud, social security fraud and criminal association and will be present to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Lisbon Court of appeal for first judicial interrogation.
The arrest was made by the National Anti-Corruption Unit (UNCC) and took place under the “Operation Octopus”, following the investigations carried out in Portugal, and in compliance with a European arrest warrant issued by the Belgian authorities.
Belgian companies are suspected of having committed fraud to the Belgian Social Security in an amount close to seven million euros
In the scope of the investigations, the PJ conducted on 14th March 2017 two searches in the Lisbon area.
According to a statement released by PJ at the time, the investigation is aimed at “three Belgian transport companies, which will have resorted to the services of a criminal organization operating in Portugal and Slovakia, circumventing Social Security laws. Committed fraud to the Belgian Social Security in an amount close to seven million euros “.
The PJ is part of an international joint investigation team, with French, Belgian and Slovak police authorities.
“In the context of this operation, the Federal Judicial Police of East Flanders, in collaboration with the social inspection services, carried out 12 searches in Brussels, Malines, Wavre-Sainte-Catherine, Hamme and Pervijse,” adds PJ.
In the course of these searches carried out in other countries, according to the note, two people were arrested and five were presented for judicial interrogation, in addition to the Belgian authorities seizing ten vehicles.
- Government announces Safe Summer Program for the Algarve
- Person arrested in connection with investigation into terrorist crimes
- “Safe Summer” Display at Mar Shopping, Loulé
- It is a mistake to put heavy fighter aircraft in Castelo Branco
- Parliament approves: throwing cigarette buts on the ground will result in a fine
- Thirty Six persons tried for ATM explosions and money laundering
- Portugal regains 3rd place as world’s most peaceful country.
- Training for the security forces for appropriate intervention with LGBTI people
- AGIF considers that Portugal remains “very vulnerable to the risk of fires”
- More dead and injured in road accidents in the first five months of the year
- President of Assembly of Republic proposes to dedicate June 17 as National Day in Memory of Victims of Fires
- Programa Estou Aqui! ® I’m Here Child Safety Program
- US State Department begins social media screening for nearly all visa applications.
- Rural Fires. Municipalities have until the end of the day to clear land from non-compliant landowners
- Portugal Civil Protection Exercise Cascade 2019
