In a note published on its website, the Porto RegionalAttorney General's Office (PGRP) says that, between 2016 and 2019 (date of arrest), "the main defendant, the owner of two companies (also defendants) dedicated to the purchase and sale of motor vehicles, in Vila do Conde, conceived and executed a plan for the profitable exploitation of sports betting games, [of] 'slot machine' games and [of] electronic roulette games, which they acquired in Germany".

"Having done so in at least 22 commercial establishments (cafes/restaurants) in the area of ​​Santo Tirso, Póvoa de Varzim, Vila do Conde, Braga, Guimarães, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Esposende, Amarante, Lousada and Maia", says the PGRP.

According to the MP, "the result of this criminal activity" led to the defendants obtaining almost €3.8 million, adding that, through the companies he managed, "the main defendant organised and led a human and logistical structure".

In this sense, "it had the collaboration of a GNR military officer, who in exchange for property rewards, provided information on police inspection operations in places where criminal activity was carried out, so that the people in the various coffee/restaurant establishments, could hide the devices before police arrived”.

The GNR officer is accused of passive corruption and personal favouritism practiced by an official.

The defendants were also responsible for the "maintenance and control of websites and management of betting accounts, software programming of electronic equipment, repair and remote technical assistance, management, supervision and control of customer accounts on the 'sites' of sports betting and the control of the 'slot machine' games, the collection of the money from the bets and, still, each one on their own, attracting other employees for the organization who would be" in their charge.

In parallel with "this criminal activity", the main defendant, through the commercial companies he managed, "fraudulently engaged in the resale of imported motor vehicles, through a scheme to evade VAT [Value Added Tax] to the State".

The investigation says that the defendant managed, between 2017 and 2019, to subtract almost €886,000 from the state coffers in terms of VAT.