An operation triggered by SSP-PI (Piauí Public Security Secretariat)this Tuesday (11), aims at a loan sharking and money laundering scheme commanded and operated mainly by a group of Colombians and Venezuelans which operated in six municipalities in Piauí.
A Operation Macondo seeks to fulfill 15 arrest warrants e 18 search and seizure warrants em Teresina, Parnaíba, Oeiras, Barras, Peaks e White Water.
Furthermore, the Court determined the blocking of R$5 million in bank accounts linked to the individuals investigated. During the investigations, investigators seized money and documents.
Criminal loan sharking scheme
Investigations revealed that the criminal group was composed mainly of people from and Colombia and from Venezuela.
They mainly aimed small traders, street vendors e self-employed workersoffering informal loans with immediate release and without contracts.
However, the that exceeded 30% per month, combined with the requirement for daily or weekly payments, trapped victims in a cycle of debt, according to investigators.
Mode of operation
Os billing methods used by those investigated wereaccording to the police. Reports indicate that loan sharks resorted to threats, destruction of goods, stalking and psychological intimidationincluding reaching family members of victims.
Serious cases, such as disappearances and suicides of people who were unable to meet the group’s demands were recorded, indicating the suspects’ modus operandi.
