A joint action by the Public Ministries of Minas Gerais and Ceará resulted in the dismantling of a criminal organization whose members pretended to be prosecutors to charge false “bails” to family members of prisoners.
Operation False Toga was launched this Wednesday (8) with thirteen addresses being search and seizure targets in the cities of Maracanaú, Fortaleza, Chorozinho, Cascavel, Pacatuba and Boa Viagem, all in the northeastern state. Of the 16 preventive arrests ordered, 12 had already been carried out in the morning.
According to investigations, the group called relatives of inmates in Minas Gerais and pretended to be members of the Public Ministry. They informed relatives that there was the possibility of issuing a release permit for that detainee, but immediate payment was required.
After an analysis of bank statements, the investigation was able to identify the existence of a constant flow of transfers between several accounts belonging to a small group of account holders, in an attempt to hide the origin of the money received.
According to the MP, “the group’s actions were coordinated, with constant opening and closing of bank accounts and telephone lines. A small number of cell phones communicated with each other, but they operated with several different chips in a short space of time, characterizing the orchestrated action compatible with the dynamics of a criminal organization.”
The investigations also showed that some of those investigated had a history of similar fraud. The investigations, according to the MP, remain confidential.
The operation was organized by the Special Action Group to Combat Cybercrimes (Gaeciber), of the MPMG, and included the participation of the Military Police (PMMG) and the Civil Police of Minas Gerais (PCMG). In the territory of Ceará, in addition to the MPCE, the Civil Police also operated.
