Brazilian authorities have dismantled a money-laundering operation linked to China and the powerful PCC crime syndicate, involving US$190 million in illicit funds. The scheme used a Chinese e-commerce platform to sell consumer electronics while concealing revenues and laundering drug proceeds. Prosecutors allege the network evaded taxes and funneled money through fake companies.
Brazilian prosecutors and São Paulo police have broken up a China-linked money-laundering ring connected to the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) syndicate, one of South America's top crime groups. The operation allegedly involved selling imported consumer electronics across Brazil through a Chinese e-commerce platform called “Knup Brasil”, including mobile phone chargers, electronic scales, and other accessories at competitive prices.
According to São Paulo police, customers placed orders on the platform but were directed to make payments via Brazil’s instant payment system, Pix, to separate companies with no legitimate commercial activity. Invoices were issued at artificially reduced values by third-party firms, creating what investigators described as a deliberate mismatch between declared income and actual cash flow.
Prosecutors claim the Chinese-run distribution network concealed revenue, evaded tax obligations, and facilitated the laundering of drug proceeds, totaling around US$190 million. Keywords in the sources mention names like Liu Bitong and Yifeng Jang, potentially linked to the case, though no further details are provided. The bust highlights the risks of international crime syndicates exploiting e-commerce platforms for illicit activities.
