A 59-year-old man suspected of running a “black euros” fraud has been extradited to Portugal from Senegal, according to PJ police.
The suspect is accused of aggravated fraud in a scheme commonly known as “euros negros ou marcados” (black or marked euros).
Authorities say the crimes date back to January and June 2022, when the man was already on parole after serving a prison sentence for similar offences dating back at least to 2017.
According to investigators, the suspect posed as a diplomat from an African country and convinced victims to hand over money and goods worth around €57,000.
In return, he allegedly gave them bundles of €50 notes said to be “marked” and worth higher amounts. Victims were instructed to clean the notes using a bleach-based solution.
After following the instructions, the victims realised the markings did not disappear and the notes were counterfeit.
The man is also said to have fled Portugal in 2022 while already wanted by authorities. He was later arrested in Senegal following an international arrest warrant issued by Portuguese judicial authorities.
Following his extradition, he was presented to a judge for first interrogation as a detained suspect and was placed in preventive custody.
