Lisbon, April 28, 2026 (Lusa) – The director of the Criminal Investigation Police (PJ) said on Tuesday that audiovisual piracy constitutes a highly organised crime which "fosters money laundering" and extends beyond copyright infringement.

"We are not only talking about copyright or the dissemination of illegal content. We are talking about something that fosters money laundering and generates a lot of money," Carlos Cabreiro said on the sidelines of the 4th International Colloquium on Digital Content Piracy, held at the PJ headquarters in Lisbon on Tuesday.

He said that, although piracy appears to citizens as a simple act affecting only individuals or companies, it involves structures organised to "spread the profits originating from criminal activity".

He lamented the "high levels" of piracy in Portugal for accessing content such as series, films, and sports, stressing the importance of prevention campaigns.

He highlighted a campaign launched a year ago by the PJ in partnership with Sport TV titled "It’s not just a game. It’s a crime. Are you a criminal?", which targets illegal free streaming services for football matches, which are paid content.

"About 34% of young people [in Portugal] say they consume illegal content, and that in itself is worrying," he said.

The PJ and FEVIP – the Portuguese Association for the Defence of Audiovisual Works, are co-organising the conference.

IB/RYOL // ADB.

Lusa