A Portuguese lawyer has been placed in preventive detention on suspicion of embezzling approximately €1.2 million from foreign clients.
The suspect, a 58-year-old attorney based in Odivelas, is accused of diverting funds from overseas bank accounts that were intended for Portugal’s Golden Visa residency-by-investment program.
The Judicial Police (PJ) arrested the suspect as part of an investigation into 32 counts of abuse of confidence, 28 of which are aggravated, along with one charge of money laundering.
The case highlights the risks associated with the legal and financial intermediaries operating within Portugal’s residency-by-investment framework, where large sums are transferred by non-resident investors seeking citizenship or residency rights.
The arrest follows a broader crackdown on financial irregularities linked to the Golden Visa scheme, which has faced scrutiny over its role in facilitating capital flows and potential money laundering.
The suspect’s alleged actions involved misappropriating client funds, undermining the integrity of the program and raising concerns about oversight in the sector.
The case is expected to proceed through the Portuguese judicial system, with further details likely to emerge as the investigation continues.