A group suspected of “Whatsapp fraud” targeting family members of servers in Rio Grande do Norte was the target of an operation on Tuesday (19). As part of the Cidade do Sol action, 10 preventive arrest warrants and 20 search and arrest warrants were issued in Florianópolis and in cities in three other states.

In Florianópolis, warrants have been issued against “Whatsapp scams.” Photo: MPRN/Divulgação/ND

In Santa Catarina, Gaeco (Special Action Group against Criminal Organizations) supported the operation, which was coordinated by the MPRN (Ministry of State of Rio Grande do Norte).

There is no information on whether anyone has been arrested in the capital of Santa Catarina for the “Whatsapp scam.” In addition to Florianopolis, warrants were served in the Sao Paulo cities of Sao Vicente and Praia Grande; in Balsa Nova and Campo Muran in the state of Paraná; and in San Desiderio, Bahia.

According to the deputy, the operation was aimed at combating the activities of a group that used the “Whatsapp scam” on family members of RN civil servants through fake profiles created on the platform.

The operation targets suspected fraudsters

The deputy said the suspects are being investigated for embezzlement, wire fraud, false identification and money laundering.

According to the organization, each of the states that underwent the operation is considered as the “core” of the crimes committed.

Prosecutors, government officials, military and civilian police officers took part in Operation Cidade do Sol.

How the WhatsApp scam worked

The embezzlers, according to the deputy, posed as relatives of the victims in order to receive unlawful financial benefits. Criminals used photos of people to create fake profiles on WhatsApp. They contacted the victims, informed them about the change of number and asked for money.

The frauds under investigation took place between June and July 2021. “The way the group operated and the time interval between the crimes, according to the MPRN, suggests the possibility of communication between government centers,” the department said.

The investigation continues, MPRN is investigating the involvement of other people in the scams, as well as other possible victims of scammers.