Operation arrests five people for 'False Relative' scam in Mato Grosso and Rio de Janeiro
The action was coordinated by the State Directorate for Combating Corruption (DECOR) of the Pará Civil Police, which investigates the crimes of qualified fraud.
On the morning of this Wednesday (9), the Civil Police of Pará launched “Operation Oliveira,” which resulted in the execution of 11 search and seizure warrants and five preventive arrest warrants in the states of Mato Grosso and Rio de Janeiro.
The action was coordinated by the State Directorate for Combating Corruption (DECOR) and investigates the crimes of qualified fraud against the elderly, criminal association, and money laundering.
The operation targeted the municipalities of Cuiabá, Várzea Grande, and Santo Antônio do Leverger in Mato Grosso, and the city of Niterói in Rio de Janeiro. Five people were arrested during the actions: two in Cuiabá, one in Várzea Grande, one in Santo Antônio do Leverger, and one in Niterói. The court orders were issued to investigate a fraud committed against a couple of elderly individuals, with estimated losses of over R$ 50,000.
The Scam
According to the Civil Police, the scam follows the model known as “False Relative,” meaning that the criminals impersonate family members or friends of the victims, requesting bank transfers via messaging apps.
“From the search and arrest warrants, we were able to locate the suspects and advance the investigations into the criminal group. It was identified that those involved were part of a criminal association specialized in electronic fraud and asset concealment, using third-party bank accounts,” highlighted delegate Fausto Bulcão, head of DECOR.
During the operation, various electronic devices were seized, which will undergo technical analysis to deepen the asset and financial investigation. A judicial block of the bank accounts of the suspects was also ordered, aiming to reimburse the damages caused to the victims.
The Civil Police of Pará is also investigating whether the suspects have links to national criminal factions that use third parties to move illicit resources from scams.
“Operation Oliveira” mobilized more than 50 civil police officers from the states of Pará, Mato Grosso, and Rio de Janeiro, reinforcing the importance of interstate cooperation in combating organized crime.
Text by Raphaela Rocha, under the supervision of Bruna Ribeiro
