* Thiago Oliveira, Interim

Unfortunately, this has now become commonplace. Criminals are increasingly using the names of legal entities for fraud. This time they use business associations. Two in the southern region have already raised the alarm.

The scammers used the name Atsić – Photo: Disclosure/ND

The scammers used the business association names Criciúma (Acic) and Tubarão (Acit). And they use the same tactics in both cases.

Criminals send fake tickets to accomplices, posing as legal entities. But never with the original names, always similar, and CNPJs are different from Acic and Acit. The tickets were recognized in the name of “Association of Companies Criciúma” and “Association of Companies Tubarão”.

Invoices are generated by email and include a “single association fee” debit. Payment is collected by Pix either via a QR code or via copy and paste.

The scam has also taken place in other areas of the state such as Canoignas where the same scam has been warned. The orientation for those receiving charges is to contact the business association directly.