Warning on proposals for the use of bank accounts to transfer funds that may derive from illicit activities

It has come to the knowledge of Banco de Portugal that spam emails are being sent by several entities containing "job offers" as "financial agents". "Commissions" are offered depending on the amount of transfers that have as intermediaries the recipients of these emails.

When the recipients accept the proposal, several personal data are then requested, such as name, identity card number, address and bank account details, with a view to using them for moving funds via bank transfers.

Against this background, Banco de Portugal calls the attention of the general public to the possibility of such "proposals" being part of a fraudulent scheme, targeted at transferring funds of an illicit origin. Therefore, those participating in such a scheme may be committing an unlawful act liable to punishment.

The website of Polícia Judiciária (Portuguese Criminal Police) has issued a statement on this subject.

Lisbon, 7 November 2007