Fraud involving A2-level Portuguese language certificates under the Português Língua de Acolhimento (PLA) program is on the rise in Portugal. The certification exempts applicants from a separate language exam for citizenship, driving high demand amid a shortage of free course places and months-long waiting lists. Scammers exploit this gap by charging vulnerable migrants hundreds or even thousands of euros for unofficial courses that carry no legal validity; one documented case involved a payment of about €6,000. Legitimate certification is only available through public schools, IEFP, and Centros Qualifica. Authorities have begun investigating forged certificates and referred cases to prosecutors. Material taken from https://t.me/portugalpages