The Federal Police (PF) launched an action this Thursday morning (06) whose target was a group that had committed several crimes with cryptocurrencies in Brazil and abroad since 2016. Among other practices, the suspects applied financial pyramid scams through the “lending” of digital assets. To attract victims, the group promised monthly income that could reach up to 20% of the amount invested. According to the PF, with this scam, the suspects deceived thousands of victims in several countries. In addition, the targets also created and sold alleged digital currencies of their own under the promise of “extravagant monthly returns”. The sale took place through companies in the name of the main suspect, who was not named. According to the PF, the investigations found that these “created” cryptoassets were not backed and had no liquidity in the market. That is, they were only used to apply other blows. The PF also reported that the group turned over R$ 4 billion in Brazil alone.
PF action targets group that applied crypto scam
The PF’s “Operation Poyais” aimed to deepen the investigation of crimes against the popular economy and the financial system, crime of embezzlement, money laundering at a global level and criminal organization. About 100 PF agents, as well as Federal Revenue officials, carried out 20 search and seizure warrants. All warrants were issued by the 23rd Federal Court of Curitiba/PR. In addition, there was a court order for the seizure of properties and the blocking of values. The agents carried out the orders in Curitiba (PR), São José dos Pinhais (PR), Governador Celso Ramos (SC), Barueri (SP), São José do Rio Preto (SP) and Angra dos Reis (RJ). From the images that the PF released, it can be seen that the agents seized a large amount of cash, gold bars, luxury watches, among other items. CriptoFácil asked the PF for more information about the seizures and will update the news when it gets a response.
Source: PF
Source: PF
Crimes and fraud with digital assets
According to a PF note, investigations against the group began in March 2022. It all started after the PF received information from INTERPOL and a passive request for international cooperation from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Department of Homeland Security at the Embassy. of the USA in Brasília, DF. In January of this year, the PF learned that an international company operating in the US, as well as its main manager, a Brazilian who lives in Curitiba, were being investigated by the El Dorado Task Force, of the HSI in New York. . The suspicion was of involvement in a multi-million money laundering conspiracy from a crypto-asset pyramid scheme. In view of this, the PF started the investigation in Curitiba on account of suspicions of the occurrence of crimes related to the fraud practiced in the US by the Brazilian, regarding the laundering of illicit funds received abroad. Initial investigations revealed that the Brazilian had more than 100 companies listed in Brazil. In addition, through the group of companies, he would be harming investors both in Brazil and abroad.
Cryptocurrency loan
The practices of “lending” cryptocurrencies with the promise of profits of up to 20% were carried out in Brazil. According to the PF, the suspect claimed “extensive experience in the technology and crypto-assets market”. In addition, they deceived customers by claiming to have a great team of traders. This team would then carry out the investments with the leased digital assets. Thus, they would generate the profits to pay the income. During the investigation, the PF discovered that the suspect also employed many members of his family in his companies. With this, they appropriated the amounts invested, both in reais and in cryptocurrencies, from the victims. Meanwhile, the criminal group applied a similar fraud, but with a focus on multi-level marketing, in the US and 10 other countries. “While part of the client’s resources was used to pay monthly remunerations, the rest was used by the investigated and the criminal organization for the acquisition of high-value real estate, luxury cars, boats, renovations, designer clothes, jewelry, travel and miscellaneous. other expenses”, said the PF. As is typical with pyramid schemes, before long, the group began to delay payments. And then he stopped paying the amounts owed. Likewise, the group blocked withdrawal requests, citing administrative, financial and technical problems. Meanwhile, the group continued to enjoy the property purchased with the victims’ resources. As reported by the PF, the warrants served today aim to stop criminal activities. At the same time, they aim to elucidate the participation of all those investigated in the crimes under investigation. Finally, the orders aim to track their assets to enable, albeit partially, the repair of damages to victims of the blows.
