Brazil: Police dismantle nationwide lottery-owner scam in joint operation
Alagoas Civil Police uncovered a national scheme in which criminals posed as lottery owners.
The Civil Police from Alagoas, a Brazilian state, have carried out Operation Sorte de Areia (“Luck Made of Sand” in free translation), a coordinated action aimed at dismantling what investigators describe as a nationwide “false lottery-owner scam.”
According to authorities, losses in Alagoas alone exceed BR1m ($188.870).
Four people remain fugitives, including the alleged leader of the organization, who is believed to reside in São Paulo, two additional suspects located in Goiás and, shockingly, a professional football player currently active in Eastern Europe.
Investigators say national and international measures are being taken to locate all outstanding targets.
According to delegate Igor Diego, the scheme operated by having criminals impersonate legitimate lottery owners and convincing employees to make payments on forged invoices.
Funds were then funnelled into accounts controlled by intermediaries before being transferred to higher-ranking members of the group.
The operation executed 21 judicial orders, including six preventive arrest warrants and 15 search and seizure mandates.
Two individuals were arrested, five vehicles and additional goods were seized and authorities imposed a judicial freeze on assets that could reach up to BR3m.
One man was also detained for unlawful possession of a firearm.
Delegate José Carlos said the investigation advanced through information-sharing with the Special Group for the Investigation of Criminal Organizations, which had been conducting related inquiries.
Diego highlighted the joint work between state police forces and support from the Ministry of Justice and the Impulse programme, which helped facilitate the integrated response across jurisdictions.
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