Police in Bahia said two alleged members of a scheme that tricked victims into paying to release court compensation had been arrested.
Operation Espectro took place in São Paulo on Oct. 8 with participation by police from Bahia and São Paulo. Investigators say the detainees were the group’s main operators. A court ordered the blocking of up to 3.5 million reais in accounts held by the suspects and by individuals and companies investigators consider intermediaries.
The investigation began after three residents of Curaçá in northern Bahia reported losses. Investigators say the group obtained real information about ongoing court cases, including case numbers, names of parties, compensation amounts and lawyers’ names.
The suspects contacted people involved in those cases through messaging apps, posed as their lawyers and claimed a case had been won. They sent forged court documents to make the story credible. Another member posed as a judge and asked victims during a video call to share their phone screens.
After gaining access to screens and banking apps, the suspects persuaded victims to send money through Pix. Their pretexts included a fictitious advance income tax payment and the need to release compensation or a loan limit. Police said victims were also told to disable banking safeguards. Money was routed through third-party accounts and companies investigators believe were shell firms.
Police advised people to verify such contacts directly with their lawyers through official channels, never share their phone screens and not disclose banking information. Three search warrants were also carried out during the operation.