The European Prosecutor's Office implicates Aldama in a network that diverted 27.9 million to Portugal
The European Prosecutor's Office has implicated Víctor de Aldama, along with other businessmen, in a suspected scheme that funneled approximately 27.9 million euros into Portuguese bank accounts to launder illegal profits generated in Spain’s hydrocarbon sector. This was revealed through a decree dated July 20, shared with Judge Santiago Pedraz by El País, which is part of an investigation into a potential 182 million euro fraud in the hydrocarbon industry. Aldama was previously detained and held in pretrial detention but was released after cooperating with the investigation related to the 'Koldo case,' where he received a suspended sentence of 4.5 years. The report indicates that between 2022 and 2024, funds were transferred from Spanish companies, Canary Islans, Salamanca Fuel, Casmar Hidrocarburos, and Obaiol 3000, to Portuguese entities, allegedly under an organized tax evasion scheme led by Aldama and three other entrepreneurs. Specifically, Aldama is linked to Atmosferaudaz Unnipessoal, a company he owns entirely, which received 7.4 million euros during this period. The funds' destination remains unclear, with some going to Spanish-based entities and others unaccounted for, and
A Portuguese investigation has uncovered how a tax fraud scheme linked to Spanish businessman Víctor de Aldama moved illicit funds through Portugal. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has informed Spain's National Court that its Portuguese delegation has submitted an open investigation into money laundering, with Aldama playing a central role. The probe is connected to a broader tax fraud case involving hydrocarbon trade, currently under scrutiny by Judge Santiago Pedraz. Between 2022 and 2024, approximately 27.9 million euros entered the Portuguese banking system, transferred from Spanish bank accounts. These funds were channeled into Portuguese companies associated with the hydrocarbon sector. According to the EPPO, these entities, Canary Islands, Salamanca Fuel, Casmar Hidrocarburos, and Obaoil 3000, are linked to a criminal network led by Aldama and his associate Claudio Rivas. The investigation suggests these companies used shell firms in Portugal to make purported payments for supplies without declaring value-added tax (IVA). This allowed them to funnel illegal profits back to Spain. Portuguese authorities confirmed that at least 9 million euros of the 27.9 million returned to Spanish bank accounts, while around 3 million were sent to UK cryptocurrency brokers. Additional sums were distributed to accounts in Poland, France, Belgium, Lithuania, Italy, Germany, and Uruguay. A total of 13 million euros remained in Portugal, of which approximately 11.8 million were seized during the investigation. The EPPO notes that the flow of funds began in Spain, passed through two Portuguese companies, and was then redirected back to Spain, raising suspicions of a money laundering circuit. Among the implicated Portuguese entities is Atmosferaudaz, owned by Aldama. Between January 2022 and November 2023, this company received 7.4 million euros from Spanish-linked firms such as Salamanca Fuel Center, Casmar Hidrocarburos SL, Trasportes la Ribersa Carmar SL, and Canary Islands Fuel Company. The company, registered for real estate consultancy and management, did not appear to have engaged in property transactions in Portugal. Despite the involvement of these Portuguese entities, the EPPO states that none of the investigated individuals benefited financially in Portugal, meaning no tax fraud occurred there. However, the organization concluded that Spanish fuel trading companies exploited Portuguese shell firms to circumvent IVA declarations and return illicit gains to Spain. Other companies implicated include Labirinto Da Bruma Unipessoal, Detalhes Adequados Lda., Cálculo Corrente Unipessoal Lda., Cifracrobática Unipessoal Lda., Diálogo Erudito Unipessoal, Aristogiraffe Unipessoal Lda., and Aroundpages Lda. These entities, according to the EPPO, received funds from Spanish companies but conducted little or no economic activity, with financial flows not matching commercial operations. Salamanca Fuel Center, one of the key Spanish firms, started operations in November 2022 and was directed by Spanish citizen Javier Sequi Alemany from March 2023. Its executives allegedly carried out money circulation maneuvers aimed at capital laundering. In the ongoing hydrocarbon case, Aldama is accused of using Luis Alberto Escolano as a frontman to hide funds in Portugal. Escolano’s account at Agarrobvio Unnipessoal received 1.401,615 euros from Salamanca Fuel Center. The EPPO’s findings also highlight the involvement of other entrepreneurs, including Nuno Miguel Santos Luvas, José Manuel Recio Hernandes, and Juan Catalán Béjar, who reportedly supported the alleged tax evasion scheme. This revelation comes shortly after the Supreme Court suspended the execution of Aldama’s prison sentence due to his cooperation in uncovering crimes committed by a criminal group led by former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos and advisor Koldo García. The court imposed conditions requiring Aldama to refrain from wrongdoing for five years, submit biannual activity reports, and perform community service for a year to symbolically repair harm caused to Spanish society.
Advertisement
Go to the primary sources (1)
The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.
The European Prosecutor’s Office has informed Spain’s National Court that a Portuguese investigation into money laundering involving businessman Víctor de Aldama is ongoing. The probe suggests that funds from tax fraud in Spain’s hydrocarbon sector were moved through Portuguese shell companies. Between 2022 and 2024, approximately €27.9 million entered Portuguese banks from Spanish accounts, linked to companies associated with Aldama and his associate Claudio Rivas. Of this amount, around €9 million returned to Spain, €3 million went to UK cryptocurrency brokers, and €3 million was dispersed to other jurisdictions. Portuguese authorities seized nearly €11.8 million in Portugal. The investigation highlights a suspected cycle of fund circulation between Spain and Portugal, raising suspicions of capital laundering.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a cross-border financial investigation involving a prominent figure (Víctor de Aldama), but does not take a clear ideological stance. It reports on legal proceedings and financial flows without overtly criticizing or praising any political entity. The '
Why factuality (100): The article provides detailed and specific information about the investigation into Víctor de Aldama, the amount of money involved (27.9 million euros), the time frame (2022–2024), and the companies involved. These details align closely with the primary source documents and are well-sourced.
Why objectivity (100): The article remains objective throughout, presenting the findings of the European Prosecution Office without bias or emotional language. It reports the facts as they were presented in the primary sources.
El MundoIndependent🔒CenterFactual 100Objective 1005 days ago
The European Prosecutor's Office has implicated Víctor de Aldama, along with other businessmen, in a suspected scheme that funneled approximately 27.9 million euros into Portuguese bank accounts to launder illegal profits generated in Spain’s hydrocarbon sector. This was revealed through a decree dated July 20, shared with Judge Santiago Pedraz by El País, which is part of an investigation into a potential 182 million euro fraud in the hydrocarbon industry. Aldama was previously detained and held in pretrial detention but was released after cooperating with the investigation related to the 'Koldo case,' where he received a suspended sentence of 4.5 years. The report indicates that between 2022 and 2024, funds were transferred from Spanish companies, Canary Islans, Salamanca Fuel, Casmar Hidrocarburos, and Obaiol 3000, to Portuguese entities, allegedly under an organized tax evasion scheme led by Aldama and three other entrepreneurs. Specifically, Aldama is linked to Atmosferaudaz Unnipessoal, a company he owns entirely, which received 7.4 million euros during this period. The funds' destination remains unclear, with some going to Spanish-based entities and others unaccounted for, and
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information regarding a legal investigation involving a businessman and alleged financial misconduct. While the subject matter involves high-profile individuals and potential corruption, the reporting does not exhibit overt ideological slant or biased framing. It relies,
Why factuality (100): The article accurately summarizes the European Prosecution Office’s involvement in the hydrocarbon case, citing the 27.9 million euro figure, the timeframe, and the role of Víctor de Aldama. The content matches the primary source documents and does not introduce any new or unsupported claims.
Why objectivity (100): The article maintains a neutral tone, reporting the facts without editorializing or showing favor toward any party. It presents the information objectively based on the available evidence.
El PaísIndependent🔒ProgressiveFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 455 days ago
The European Prosecutor’s Office has received information from Portugal revealing that Victor de Aldama and other businessmen allegedly diverted 27.9 million euros from hydrocarbon companies between 2022 and 2024 to launder funds through shell companies based in Portugal. The European Prosecutor’s Office, responsible for safeguarding EU funds, has now entered the 'hydrocarbons case' being investigated by the National Court and has sent data to Judge Santiago Pedraz regarding Portugal's investigation into suspicious transfers.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the actions of businessmen as illicit financial activities involving laundering through shell companies, which aligns with progressive concerns over corruption and economic transparency. While the focus is on legal violations rather than overt political ideology, the emphasis on '
Why factuality: no official source document/info detected
Why objectivity (45): The tone is formal but lacks balance, focusing primarily on the legal implications and financial aspects of the case. There is no attempt to provide multiple perspectives or contextualize the situation beyond what is reported.
The European Prosecution Office has informed a judge of Aldama's involvement in a scheme that laundered €27.9 million in Portugal. This development relates to ongoing legal proceedings involving financial crimes and potential corruption. The case highlights international cooperation in combating money laundering across borders. The European Prosecution Office plays a key role in investigating such cross-border criminal activities.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual report on the European Prosecution Office informing a judge about Aldama's alleged involvement in money laundering. There is no evident framing or slant in the language used; it simply relays information without opinion or emphasis on any particular side.
How each side covered it
The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.
progressive
center
conservative
★
How each side covered it
Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.
Spain
