Brazilian authorities have launched a major operation targeting an alleged illegal betting and electronic fraud network, with searches and arrests taking place across seven Brazilian states and the United States.
The operation, named Máquina de Fraudes (“Fraud Machine”), is being conducted by Goiás Civil Police and involves 12 temporary arrest warrants and 27 search and seizure warrants.
Authorities are seeking to seize and block assets and funds estimated at nearly BR40m.
According to police, the investigation began after officers identified a fake online donation campaign. Further inquiries allegedly uncovered a criminal structure that used a network of fintech companies, payment gateways and payment intermediaries to facilitate electronic fraud.
Investigators said the group used a fabricated video featuring a nationally recognized religious leader to simulate donation requests and deceive victims. Police have not disclosed the identity of the religious figure.
One suspect believed to be living in the US
Brazilian authorities have sought assistance from US officials and Interpol through a Red Notice to execute an arrest warrant. Police have not revealed the city.
In Brazil, warrants are being carried out in in Goiás, Paraíba, Bahia, Paraná, São Paulo, Minas Gerais and in Rio de Janeiro.
The investigation is being led by the State Department of Criminal Investigations and authorities have not yet released further details about the suspected betting operations. The investigation remains ongoing.
Recently, in a different investigation in the country, Brazil's Federal District Civil Police has found a financial network used by unauthorized betting platforms to move $135.2m through shell companies.
Since Brazil’s ban on betting, almost 50,000 illegal websites were blocked by the Government
