0
The Civil Police of Santa Catarina launched Operation Alvará Fantasma this Tuesday (11), which resulted in the arrest of seven people suspected of being part of a gang specializing in the so-called fake lawyer scam. The action was coordinated by the Anti-Stealing Police Department of the Criminal Investigations Department (DCE/DIC) of the Capital and had the support of the civil police of Mato Grosso do Sul and Piauí.
A joint operation with other states resulted in the arrest of suspects involved in a scheme that deceived victims with false legal promises/Photo: Reproduction
Ten search and seizure warrants and seven temporary arrest warrants were executed in the cities of Nova Andradina, Dourados, Campo Grande and Três Lagoas, in Mato Grosso do Sul, in addition to an arrest warrant in Geminiano, Piauí. The court orders were issued after an investigation that began in June, in Florianópolis.
According to the police, the group used messaging applications to pose as lawyers, using photos, names and real OAB records. Victims were convinced to make bank deposits relating to supposed legal costs or the release of court orders. The scammers presented falsified documents with simulated letterheads and signatures from the Judiciary.
One of the victims, a resident of Santa Catarina, suffered losses of around R$100,000. The investigation shows that, in total, at least three other people were also deceived, with a total loss of more than R$170,000.
During the execution of the warrants, the police seized cell phones used in the fraud and other electronic devices belonging to the suspects. The court also ordered the blocking of R$300,000 in each of the 63 bank accounts linked to those under investigation, with the aim of guaranteeing compensation to the victims.
The seven detainees will be charged with electronic fraud and criminal association. Investigations continue to identify other possible people involved and victims of the scheme.
Razão newspaper
