Three women have been arrested by the Portugal Public Security Police (PSP) after forcing a mother and teenage daughter to withdraw €200 from an ATM under the guise of a spiritual "cleansing" service, highlighting a persistent and exploitative scam that targets vulnerable pedestrians in Porto's busiest public squares.
The incident unfolded on June 20 at 8:30 PM in Praça de Almeida Garrett, the bustling square adjacent to São Bento railway station—one of Porto's most iconic and heavily trafficked landmarks. What began as an apparent jewelry sales pitch quickly escalated into intimidation and extortion, with the suspects demanding payment for an unsolicited "evil-eye cleansing" ritual they claimed to have performed on the victims.
Why This Matters
• Public safety in tourist zones: The incident occurred in a central area frequented by both residents and visitors, raising concerns about aggressive street scams.
• Rapid police response: The PSP's Criminal Investigation Division arrested all three suspects within minutes after the victims reported the crime.
• Lenient bail terms: Despite the coercion and theft, the suspects were released with only bi-weekly police check-ins, sparking questions about deterrence.
The Anatomy of a Street Extortion
The victims—a 43-year-old woman and her 16-year-old daughter—were walking through the square when three women, aged 23, 40, and 50, approached them under the pretext of selling costume jewelry. According to the PSP statement, the conversation quickly shifted when one suspect suddenly demanded €200, claiming the payment was owed for a "spiritual cleansing" or "lavagem" performed to remove the "mau-olhado" (evil eye) from both mother and child.
When the mother resisted—stating she had neither requested such a service nor carried that amount of cash—one of the suspects made a theatrical gesture of opening her purse while issuing a thinly veiled threat: "You're going to withdraw it, and you will." Fearing for her own safety and that of her daughter, the woman complied. She was escorted by two of the suspects to a nearby ATM, where she withdrew and handed over €200.
The suspects then attempted to pressure her into withdrawing additional funds, but the mother refused. She managed to leave the scene with her daughter and immediately sought out nearby police officers to report the crime. Officers from the Criminal Investigation Division returned to the square, where the victims identified the three women, leading to their prompt arrest.
Following their arrest, the women appeared before a judicial authority and were released under a coercion measure requiring bi-weekly appearances at a police station in their area of residence. This relatively light restriction has drawn quiet criticism from residents who question whether such measures adequately deter repeat offenses, particularly in crimes involving intimidation and targeting of minors.
The "Mau-Olhado" Scam: A Cultural Exploit
The mau-olhado or "evil eye" is a deeply rooted belief in Portuguese folk culture, particularly among older generations and rural communities. It refers to a curse believed to be cast through envious or malicious gazes, often resulting in illness, bad luck, or misfortune. Traditional remedies include rituals involving water, olive oil, prayers, and salt, typically performed by local healers or family members.
Criminals exploit this cultural belief by convincing victims they are afflicted and then demanding payment for unsolicited "cleansings" or "spiritual work." The scam is particularly insidious because it leverages fear and cultural familiarity, making targets more susceptible to coercion. Such schemes constitute criminal fraud under Portuguese law, where invoking superstition to manipulate victims into financial loss is legally indistinguishable from other forms of deceit.
Broader Context: Street Fraud in Porto
Porto has seen ongoing concerns regarding street-level scams targeting both residents and tourists. The PSP and other Portuguese law enforcement agencies have documented various fraud and theft schemes across the country. Street-level extortion—particularly those using cultural manipulation or unsolicited services—remains a persistent challenge in high-traffic urban areas.
According to broader Portuguese law enforcement reporting, fraud and theft operations continue to be a significant public safety concern across the country's major cities, with authorities conducting regular awareness campaigns and targeted operations to combat these crimes.
What Residents Can Do
The PSP and GNR have issued repeated guidance for avoiding street scams, particularly in high-traffic urban zones:
• Distrust unsolicited approaches: Be wary of strangers initiating conversations about services, sales, or problems you didn't know you had.
• Never comply with threats alone: If threatened or coerced, seek immediate help from nearby businesses, passersby, or police.
• Verify credentials: Anyone claiming to represent an official entity should present identification. Call the institution directly using publicly listed numbers—not contact details provided by the individual.
• Report immediately: Even if money or valuables are lost, prompt reporting increases the likelihood of apprehension and recovery.
• Stay alert in crowds: Pickpockets and distraction thieves operate in transport hubs, tourist attractions, and markets. Keep valuables in front pockets or secured bags.
The Porto case underscores both the persistence of culturally tailored fraud schemes and the effectiveness of rapid victim reporting. While the judicial response remains a point of debate, the swift police action demonstrates that street-level extortion, no matter how unusual its premise, is taken seriously by Portuguese authorities.
