PF launches two operations and investigates R$ 86m fraud against INSS in three states
The Federal Police conducted operations in Bahia, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo against groups fraudulently obtaining INSS benefits using fictitious identities.
Federal Police combats social security fraud scheme across three states
The Federal Police launched two simultaneous operations on Tuesday, 25th, against groups suspected of fraudulently obtaining benefits from the National Institute of Social Security (INSS), according to revistaoeste.com. The actions covered Salvador, in Bahia, as well as municipalities in Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo.
In the Bahian capital, Operation Illegal Representatives executed two search and seizure warrants and one temporary detention warrant. The Federal Police identified 97 fraudulent benefits, which generated irregular payments of approximately R$ 3.5 million. Had the transfers continued, estimates suggest the loss would have reached R$ 99 million.
The investigation began approximately four months ago, after technicians detected suspicious transactions in the INSS systems at a Social Security agency in Salvador. The operation involved participation from the Intelligence Coordination Office of the Ministry of Social Security.
The second operation, named Leste do Espinhaço, was carried out across ten municipalities in Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. The courts issued 22 preventive detention warrants, 33 search and seizure warrants and 33 orders to freeze or recover assets of the investigated individuals — totalling 91 court orders executed.
The investigation found 457 fraudulent social security benefits, of which 240 remained active at the time of the arrests. According to the Federal Police, the suspects created fictitious identities to request benefits, making use of forged documents such as birth certificates, identity cards and proof of residence. The majority of cases involved benefits intended for elderly people with low income.
The Federal Police estimate the scheme caused losses exceeding R$ 86 million to the Union's treasury. Tuesday's measures aim to interrupt the irregular payments, obtain further evidence and identify other participants in the scheme.
The investigated individuals may face charges of qualified fraud, criminal association and other crimes that may be identified during the course of the investigation.
Source: Google News BR — Crime