This Wednesday (27) the Civil Police launched Operation Lance Improbável to combat fraud on auction sites for fake cars. The action began after a coup in Tangara, in the midwestern region of Santa Catarina.

Civil police launched Operation Lance Improbável and executed 20 warrants (27) on Wednesday. – Photo: Civil Police/Reproduction/ND

In Minas Gerais and São Paulo, eight preventive arrest warrants and 12 search and seizure warrants were issued, as well as freezing and seizure of assets worth approximately R$5 million.

Eight people were detained in the cities of Belo Horizonte, Praia Grande, Santo Andre and Parapanema. In addition, documents, computers and mobile phones were confiscated.

Delegate Andre Cembranelli from Tangara said he was responsible for the investigation. He explained that “the group has been operating since 2018, spreading the fraudulent operation across different regions of the country.”

The suspects, Cembranelli said, are under investigation for “defrauding numerous victims by facilitating fictitious vehicle auctions that resulted in money being transferred to fraudulent bank accounts.”

The vehicles advertised on the websites were allegedly the objects of foreclosure carried out by banking institutions in connection with the failure of the owners to fulfill their obligations.

According to police, the sites used prices below the market average, which attracted buyers from all over Brazil. The layout of the pages led the victim to believe they were getting a good deal.

The investigation began at the Tangara police station after the victim, who lived in the city, “bought” a car for R$90,000 and gave the money to a fake auctioneer.

See how Operation Lance Improbavel went:

The Tangara Civil Police took part in the action with the support of the Minas Gerais Civil Police and the Sao Paulo Civil Police.

The SENASP-MJSP Integrated Operations and Intelligence Directorate also took part in the action through the MOSAICO project and the regional units in Joazab, Lages, Videira and Campos Novos.

Civilian police advise victims of the objects under investigation to go to police stations and file a police report. So that the scams used by the criminal organization can be displayed.

Civilian police launched an operation and executed 20 warrants (27) on Wednesday. – Photo: Civil Police/Reproduction/ND