At a press conference, José Ribeiro, criminal investigation coordinator for the National Unit to Combat Cybercrime and Technological Crime, explained that the investigation, launched in late 2023, identified a structured criminal network that allowed at least 60 marriages to take place, with profits of around two million euros—each immigrant reportedly paid around €33,000 for the wedding.

"The immigrants, as clients of this network, contacted the network through social media, and later it became solely word-of-mouth," explained the criminal investigation coordinator at the PJ headquarters, adding that these clients "were willing to pay tens of thousands of euros just to obtain legal status in Portugal."

All the brides were Portuguese, which allowed for legal status in Portugal, but none of the identified immigrants obtained Portuguese nationality, as marriage grants a residence permit, and a five-year period is required for nationality to be granted.

The PJ operation is still ongoing; more arrests are expected, and so far, 58 people have been arrested. "Most of those arrested today are brides," said José Ribeiro.

Most of the grooms, who were clients of this network, are already living in other European countries, and yet, all have been identified, the PJ also assured today. This "will be another phase, with the use of international cooperation," added the criminal investigation coordinator.

The dismantled network already had an organized structure, with mentors at the top who were responsible for the network. Then, at a second level, José Ribeiro explained, were the recruiters and, finally, "a network of brides, who are the brides willing to marry these clients."

This investigation was based on suspicions of computer scams, and the police realized that there was a network for marriages of convenience through social media. "The methods were changed from the beginning," explained José Ribeiro, noting that, initially, this network suggested opening a company in Portugal to obtain residency.

"But they quickly realized that marriages of convenience were a much faster scheme, and much easier to obtain residency. And so a network of grooms was also created," he added.

The suspects are charged with aiding illegal immigration, conspiracy to aid illegal immigration, and computer fraud and will be presented to the Public Prosecutor's Office as part of this process.

The investigation is being conducted by the National Unit for Combating Cybercrime and Technological Crime (UNC3T) of the PJ, in an inquiry led by the Department of Investigation and Criminal Prosecution (DIAP) in Lisbon.