Military police arrested five people and apprehended a teenager in a clandestine call center in Itanhaém, on São Paulo's coast, on Saturday (April 18). The gang posed as a TV program to deceive victims with fake prizes and demand Pix payments. The group confessed to earning between R$5,000 and R$10,000 per day.
The Military Police (PM), through the 29th Interior Military Police Battalion (BPM/I), made the arrests following an anonymous tip at a house on Rua Maceió in Jardim Coronel neighborhood, Itanhaém.
The suspects posed as members of a TV program, telling victims they had won prizes. To 'release' the prizes, they demanded Pix payments between R$500 and R$1,000, adjusted based on victims' reactions. According to those detained, the scheme generated between R$5,000 and R$10,000 daily.
The investigation uncovered the use of third-party bank accounts, known as 'laranja accounts,' and personal data obtained from other scammers operating fake online raffles. Police seized 11 cell phones, four notebooks, four headsets, an air gun, and drug-related items.
The six suspects were taken to Itanhaém's District Police Station. The case was registered as criminal association, qualified fraud, and corruption of minors.
