Federal Auditors Close Two Brás Malls in Counterfeit World Cup Gear Sweep

Overview

• The operation, launched Monday, shut Shopping 25 Brás and Shopping Stunt for at least two weeks as inspectors review stock in roughly 2,000 stores.
• Receita Federal estimates up to R$300 million in merchandise will be seized after the first day turned up fake Brazil jerseys, club shirts, sports gear, shoes, e‑cigarettes, and perfumes.
• Auditors said goods with valid invoices will be released, while items without proof will be taken, and sellers may later present documents to try to reclaim them.
• Ninety‑five officials worked the first day with a larger team set for Tuesday, and no arrests had been reported by the latest updates.
• Alobrás, a local retailers’ group, said it has no members in the two malls and backs legal trade, as the crackdown targets a district that supplies other states and is often tied to tax evasion and related crimes.