Brazil Launches Late-November Raids Targeting Fraud, Money Laundering and ‘Delivery’ Drug Rings

Overview

• Civil police from Paraná and São Paulo executed 41 arrest warrants and 90 searches in the ‘gift scam’ probe, which investigators say moved about R$14 million, and a judge ordered the blocking of 41 bank accounts.
• In Recife, Operation Cartas Negras dismantled an internet-based cocaine delivery scheme that used app drivers and hired couriers, arresting an alleged leader and an ‘deliverer’ while two suspects remain at large.
• Minas Gerais’ Operation Mérito Reverso arrested two businesspeople on suspicion of estelionato, fraud against creditors and money laundering, with 13 properties, vehicles and bank funds seized worth more than R$20 million and alleged victim losses of R$1.76 million.
• A court in Franca convicted five people linked to a structured loan‑sharking organization, imposing multi‑year prison terms following evidence gathered in the Castelo de Areia investigation.
• Parallel actions included arrests tied to drug ‘delivery’ sales in Feira de Santana and Piracicaba, and the influencer ‘João do Grau’ was released on R$30,000 bail after a weapons arrest as police probe alleged illegal raffles and money laundering totaling at least R$50 million.