Brazil’s Polícia Federal has launched an investigation into the theft of computer equipment from branches of Caixa, a state-owned financial institution that plays a central role in the country’s banking and lottery systems.
The action was carried out in São Paulo and aims to identify and dismantle a criminal network involved in the theft and subsequent resale of computers removed from Caixa agencies.
According to the Federal Police, the scheme caused estimated losses of BR1.5m to the bank.
This phase deepens the investigation launched earlier, as authorities seek to identify additional members of the criminal organization and recover equipment already diverted from the bank’s infrastructure.
Those involved may face charges of aggravated theft and criminal association under Brazilian law.
In addition to operating as a commercial bank focused on social programs, housing finance and worker benefits, Caixa is also responsible for managing Brazil’s federal lotteries.
Lottery revenues administered by the bank are channeled directly into public funding for areas such as education, culture, sport and social development.
The operation comes amid heightened scrutiny of Caixa’s technological infrastructure and legal efforts to protect its monopoly over certain lottery-related activities, particularly as digital platforms and influencer-linked schemes continue to challenge the regulated framework.
Caixa’s New Year’s lottery draw raised BR3.05bn in ticket sales and paid out BR1.09bn to six jackpot winners while the remaining revenue was distributed across taxes, operational expenses and mandatory public transfers.
Demand for the New Year lottery prize previously overloaded Caixa’s systems, highlighting the pressure on the bank’s technological infrastructure
