The Federal Police (PF) is carrying out, this Wednesday morning (28), 10 preventive arrest warrants, 7 temporary arrest warrants and 60 search and seizure warrants against members of a criminal organization suspected of moving R$7.5 billion through banking crimes.
Around 200 federal police officers are working in the so-called ‘Operation Concierge’. According to the investigations, the group committed crimes against the financial system through two digital banks that did not have authorization from the Central Bank to operate.
Criminals opened accounts in these digital banks which, because they were clandestine, were “invisible” to the financial system, with no connection between the senders and recipients who moved the money.
As a result, users did not leave any traces connecting account holders to the hosting banks. The accounts were then frequently used by criminal gangs and companies with labor and tax debts for purposes such as money laundering and other illegal practices.
In addition to the accounts, the suspects also used payment methods, such as credit card machines, in the name of shell companies, unrelated to the real users, allowing money laundering and payment for illegal acts in a hidden manner.
The PF investigations managed to identify, little by little, the criminals linked to the criminal activity. They were involved in the logistical, financial and operational aspects of the scheme.
In addition to the execution of arrest and search warrants, two lawyers, four accountants and around 194 companies were prohibited, by court order, from carrying out their activities after links between those involved and the criminal organization were confirmed.
The companies in question were used by the individuals to cover up illegal transactions. The court also ordered the freezing of R$850 million that were in accounts associated with the gang.
Among the addresses targeted for search and seizure are credit card management institutions linked to the group and the headquarters of digital banks.
According to the Federal Police, those investigated may be charged with the crimes of fraudulent management of a financial institution, operation of an unauthorized financial institution, currency evasion, concealment of capital (money laundering), crimes against the tax system and criminal organization.
*Under supervision of Carolina Figueiredo
This content was originally published in PF targets group suspected of bank fraud that moved R$7.5 billion on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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