So far, the Federal Police have seized R$ 20 million in cash at the home of the owner of GAS Consultoria Bitcoin. This Wednesday morning (25), Glaidson Acácio dos Santos was arrested during Operation Kryptos. He is accused of leading a financial pyramid scheme in Cabo Frio, Lagos Region of Rio de Janeiro. The action in question was initiated by the Federal Police, the Federal Public Ministry and the Federal Revenue. About 120 agents were deployed to fulfill 7 preventive arrest warrants, 2 temporary arrest warrants and 15 search and seizure warrants.
R$ 20 million seized: “Not at Car Wash”
According to the investigations, the head of GAS Consultoria Bitcoin moved R$ 2 billion in his bank accounts. The company is considered to be the largest financial pyramid in Cabo Frio. Recently, the city gained the nickname of New Egypt due to the number of pyramids in the region. Glaidson dos Santos was arrested around 6 am this morning in a mansion in the West Zone of Rio. The PF seized on the spot, an amount in reais, dollars and euros that impressed even the agents. One of them even stated that “not even in the Lava-Jato” they had seen so much cash. About the seizure, Glaidson’s defense said, in a statement, that although the amount is high, it is not necessarily illegal: “It was a surprise. We did not expect this, we were not aware of any type of procedure or investigation that could lead to such a situation. R$20 million is an exaggerated and high amount. But it is not an amount that you can claim to have come from criminal practice. Making money, having R$ 20 million at home, that in itself, is not a crime”, said lawyer Thiago Minagé to G1. In addition to the R$20 million found in the house, the PF informed that GAS was also the owner of the nearly R$7 million seized in suitcases in a helicopter in Búzios.
PF arrests two more involved in GAS
In the operation, the PF also arrested trader Arthur Leite, hired by Glaidson, at the GAS headquarters, in the center of Cabo Frio. In addition, another man, identified as Tunay Pereira Lima, was detained by the PF at Guarulhos Airport, while trying to travel to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, for a GAS event. “The investigated may respond, to the extent of their responsibilities, for the crimes of fraudulent/reckless management clandestine financial institution, illegal issuance of securities without prior registration*, criminal organization and money laundering, and, if convicted, may serve a sentence of up to 26 years of imprisonment.
GAS partner asks for help to calm clients
After Glaidson’s arrest, the so-called “consultants” received audios in WhatsApp groups asking them to reassure clients: “We are counting on you, consultant, to calm our clients”, said a man connected to the owner of GAS. “This suspicion that it’s a pyramid and all. OK [sic] complaints are being made. It was in the newspaper, this and that other. The Federal Police decreed his preventive detention so that he could provide clarifications… So that he also does not cause any obstacles in the investigations… This is standard for the Police. This is normal to happen”, he said. The man also confirmed that the business is still standing and that the payment on the 26th “is already in the account”: “In a little while, the finance staff will be releasing this amount. And we go up. The work will continue (…) because the work of GAS does not depend on Glaidson, as he himself said at the last meeting. And we’ll move on.” GAS Consultoria Bitcoin was a company that promised profits of 10% per month on alleged investments in cryptocurrencies. However, investigations revealed that GAS did not, in fact, carry out applications in digital currencies. Read also: PF will use Lamborghini from the “King of Bitcoin” valued at R$ 800,000 Read also: Those who do not invest in cryptocurrencies today will regret it. Read also: Cryptocurrencies will receive “ISO standard” digital tags that will help popularize Marketplace