Four men have been arrested on suspicion of running a scam that netted at least €2.1 million by stealing from many of Portugal's councils, hospitals and state services.
The Judicial Police today detained three Portuguese and one foreigner aged between 22 and 37.
The National Unit for Combating Corruption started the investigation in October 2014 and organised 11 searches during which the Judicial Police seized computer equipment and documentation which they say shows the men’s involvement in the sophisticated fraud.
The arrests took place in Lisbon, Setúbal, Évora, Faro and Madeira and the police say the men withdrew money from the bank accounts of dozens of public bodies and individuals and used false data to divert payments from the state that should have gone to legitimate suppliers.
Local councils, hospitals, other public institutions and central state services in Lisbon, Setúbal, Matosinhos, Maia, Oporto and the Algarve have been relieved of at least €2.1 million.
During the investigation, the bank accounts of those arrested were seized and were found to contain around €1.5 million.
