The Judicial Police, through the Department of Criminal Investigation of Setubal, have completed an investigation involving transnational transactions, which started in August 2015 concerning computer fraud crimes and counterfeit securities.

Following  “Operation Lightning ” and in collaboration with SIBS / PAYWATCH, the operation resulted in the arrest of three men, aged between 37 and 41 years old, who are now in custody.

The “modus operandi” of detainees consisted of placing in a cash machine (ATM) in Sesimbra, a device that allowed them to copy security features of 116 bank cards, whose counterfeited copies were then used in a total of 320 transactions value amounting to € 43,570.00.

They successfully conducted 153 such transactions and appropriating illicitly € 20,440.00 in Évora, Montemor-o-Novo, Vendas Novas, Sines, Santiago Cacém, Ferreira do Alentejo and Beja. At the time of their arrest, the defendants were preparing to do the same in another ATM in Montijo.

The investigation has resulted in the dismantling of a transnational network undertaking this crime. The investigation was based on dozens of inquiries, and examination of more than a hundred people, the seizure of various computer equipment and tools, vehicles, hundreds of cards, mobiles, supporting transfers made ​​through “Western Union” and the evidence of similar practices abroad.