An arrest warrant has been issued and executed to bring in the Algarve’s regional head of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) in Albufeira, accused of issuing 'no questions asked' Residency documents at €500-a-time.
Joaquim Patrício is now helping police with their inquiries and faces question relating to the 'documents for cash' alegation made initially by an SEF whistleblower.
This corruption has been going on, at least since the middle of 2017, according to the police, and Patrício is said, "presumably to have received monetary amounts from foreigners for the granting of residence permits in Portugal."
The PJ said that the investigation has been helped by the SEF itself, "an entity that collaborated closely with the Judicial Police in the course of their investigations."
The 56-year-old SEF manager next will be presented to court to see if he is allowed home before trial or must stay in prison.
