During the operation, federal police discovered approximately 7 million reais in cash in a luxury home in Greater Sao Paulo. Investigators suspect the amount belongs to a gang that may have ties to the Chinese mafia. According to the investigation, the group carried out scams throughout Brazil and used “orange” accounts to obtain money from victims.

Police confiscated R$7 million in cash during an operation in Sao Paulo – Photo: Record TV/R7/ND

The information published by the R7 portal also indicates that in addition to the amount, the police also seized luxury cars, weapons and ammunition.

The vehicles, which were collected and delivered to the Federal Police yard, were located at an address located in an upscale area of ​​São Paulo. Eight search and arrest warrants were executed during the case.

How the criminals acted

As the investigation established, the criminals recruited “oranges”, who were approached mainly in Bras, a popular shopping area in the center of Sao Paulo. Addressing ordinary people, they opened accounts that would be used exclusively to receive the millions of reais collected by the gang.

The money received by the criminals was obtained as a result of fraud carried out using a mobile phone. According to investigators, criminals send messages to victims with job offers. The advertisements said that you could do everything from home and earn extra money. However, whoever accepted the false offer had to pay the amount to be entitled to the salary. They transferred the amount through Pix, which ended up in the “orange” accounts.

“We were able to establish that this money, approximately 4 million reais, was transferred to the accounts of legal entities over six months from these frauds. Some of those under investigation are directly linked to the Chinese bandit who was extradited in 2019,” said PF delegate Jefferson Di Schiavi.

Luis Fernando Rebellato, a prosecutor, said the scammers’ activities, which may appear to be a simple Pix scam or scam, could be linked to criminal organizations. “This includes the development of international weapons, which will be investigated throughout the investigation,” he adds.

The action under the command of the PF had the support of the army. This is because an investigation revealed that the latest money from the scam was sent to a company that sells guns and ammunition.

“A thorough investigation will be required to determine whether this money ultimately goes to purchase ammunition and weapons,” the prosecutor explained.