Operation "Fraud Machine" targets illegal betting scheme worth R$ 40 million across seven states and USA
Goiás Civil Police executes 12 arrest warrants and 27 search warrants across seven states and the USA against illegal betting and electronic fraud scheme.
Operation across seven states targets fraud scheme and illegal betting valued at R$ 40 million
The Civil Police of Goiás launched Operation "Fraud Machine" on the morning of Monday 9th, targeting members of an illegal betting and electronic fraud scheme spread across seven Brazilian states and the United States. According to g1.globo.com, the court orders include the seizure and blocking of assets and funds totalling nearly R$ 40 million.
In total, 12 temporary arrest warrants and 27 search and seizure warrants are being executed. In Goiás, operations are taking place in Goiânia and Itapuranga. The remaining targets are located in João Pessoa and Santa Rita (Paraíba), Curaçá and Senhor do Bonfim (Bahia), Londrina (Paraná), Mogi das Cruzes (São Paulo), Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais) and in Rio de Janeiro's capital.
The investigations began following the identification of a false online donation campaign. From that point, officers uncovered a criminal structure that used a network of fintechs, payment gateways and financial intermediaries to carry out the frauds. The group even used a fake video of a prominent religious leader to simulate donation requests and deceive victims.
One of those under investigation resides in the United States. To execute the arrest warrant abroad, the Civil Police contacted US authorities and Interpol through Red Notice. The corporation did not disclose the American city where the operation is being carried out.
The operation is being conducted by the State Criminal Investigation Department (DEIC), through the Group for Repression of Fraud and other Criminal Offences (GREF).
Source: Google News BR — Crime