Lisbon, May 25, 2026 (Lusa) – Portugal's Public Security Police (PSP) officers intercepted seven foreign nationals, including a minor, at Lisbon Airport on Sunday for presenting apparently fake Chinese and Hong Kong passports to leave Portugal, the police force announced on Monday.

"The police intervention occurred at Terminal 1, when the citizens attempted to leave the Schengen area, presumably destined for Ireland, using falsified passports allegedly issued by Hong Kong and Chinese authorities," the PSP said in a statement.

The Schengen area is a free-movement zone encompassing 29 European countries, including Portugal but excluding Ireland.

Officers arrested the six adults on suspicion of document forgery or counterfeiting. The seventh citizen, being under the age of 16, was formally identified, with police adopting the legally mandated procedures for minors.

"The investigation also identified a common modus operandi associated with using false documentation to bypass border control mechanisms and travel illegally between European countries," the PSP said.

IB/RYOL // ADB.

Lusa