Bahia server associations that allegedly originated fake payroll credit portfolios used an email linked to Augusto Lima, ex-partner of Banco Master. Police used this connection to strengthen suspicions against Lima in the R$12.2 billion frauds passed to BRB. The defense denies any link.
The associations Asteba (Association of Technical-Administrative Servers and Similar in the State of Bahia) and Asseba (Association of Health Servers and Similar in the Direct Administration of the State of Bahia) were identified as responsible for the fake payroll credit portfolios worth R$12.2 billion, passed by Banco Master to BRB (Bank of Brasília).
According to the Federal Police, these entities reported to the Federal Revenue the phone and email of the Terra Firme business group, exclusively owned by Augusto Lima, ex-partner of Daniel Vorcaro at Banco Master. The email 'contabilidade@grupoterrafirme.com.br' and shared phone strengthened suspicions that Lima was behind the associations. "The associations Asteba and Asseba reported to the Federal Revenue, as contact email, the electronic address 'contabilidade@grupoterrafirme.com.br', which is the same email address of the company Terra Firme da Bahia Ltda [...], exclusively owned by Augusto Lima. Asseba and Terra Firme also share the same contact phone with the Federal Revenue," states the PF representation.
The Terra Firme company shares its name with Instituto Terra Firme, presided over by Lima's wife, former federal deputy and former minister Flávia Peres under Jair Bolsonaro (PL). The NGO states that "the social object and actions of the group and the institute are totally different".
Lawyer Pedro Ivo Velloso, from Lima's defense, stated that "the investigation will demonstrate the absolute non-existence of a link between Augusto Lima and the operations under investigation." The defense notes that Lima left Master, has a clean record, and acted legally.
The associations were targets of search and seizure in Operation Complience Zero, which arrested Lima and Vorcaro on November 18, 2025. The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office identified that discounts on state paychecks were low-value for association fees and services, making it impossible to generate R$6.7 billion in loans, plus R$5.5 billion in premiums and bonuses.