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Head of SEF in Albufeira arrested over 'cash for residency' scam

SEFAn 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.

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Comments  

+2 #2 Mark Davies 2018-07-27 18:12
Given the dismal record of self enrichment by the high ups involved over the years in Portugal's Golden Visa's - why are there still no effective checks and balances in place? We only know of this case as someone got overlooked for a bung.
As in all the previous Golden Visa scams, to skim off this money will have taken a team of people, not just this SEF boss. No change, as before the team of lawyers, accountants, estate agents and Mr FixIts remains in place, suitably rewarded, their machine oiled ready for the next boss.
+1 #1 Charly 2018-07-27 09:46
What did that man do wrongly ? He simply does what all "the others" are doing. That's the usance isn't it ?

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