With 'Operation Lasgrael', Civil Police of Pará dismantles a million-dollar fraud scheme
According to investigations, a gang operated to annul or transfer electricity debts illegally
The Civil Police of Pará, through the Division of Investigations and Special Operations (DIOE), the Delegacy for Combating Crimes against Public Utility Concessionaires (DCCCCSP), and support from the Specialized Police Directorate (DPE), launched “Operation Lasgrael” on the morning of this Friday (3). The action arrested three suspects and aimed to dismantle a million-dollar fraud scheme involving document forgery and the insertion of false data into the system of an energy concessionaire operating in Pará.
According to delegate Cláudio Galeno, head of DCCCCSP, the gang opened fraudulent processes to annul or transfer electricity debts illegally. “As a result, commercial and residential clients were benefited. The estimated losses caused to the concessionaire reach million-dollar amounts,” he explained.
The arrest and search and seizure warrants were issued by the Inquiry Court of the Metropolitan Region of Belém. In light of the suspicions, the concessionaire also initiated an internal investigation procedure, which also helped to support the investigations carried out by the Civil Police, as explained by delegate Ricardo Rosário, director of DIOE. “Through the internal compliance and fraud prevention system, the company identified signs of irregular conduct and initiated an internal audit process and alerted the police authorities,” concluded the director.
In total, the action also seized a vehicle and various equipment that enabled the fraud to operate. The arrested individuals were presented for examinations and remain at the disposal of the Justice. Ongoing efforts continue to identify and hold accountable the other individuals involved in the scheme.
