Federal Police Open Operation Backdoor to Probe Theft of 300 Receita Federal Computers

Overview

• The Federal Police launched Operation Backdoor on Thursday, July 23, to investigate an alleged scheme to remove public assets from a Receita Federal building.
• Authorities say about 300 computers and five refrigeration units valued at roughly R$350,000 are missing and that vehicles also disappeared from the agency's yard.
• Police executed four search-and-seizure warrants in Rio de Janeiro neighborhoods and in Angra dos Reis as part of the early-phase probe.
• The investigation is examining whether a public servant seconded to Receita and members of an Organização Social colluded to divert goods and use fraudulent donation paperwork to hide the transfers.
• Investigators say those involved may face charges including peculato (embezzlement) and association criminosa, the Receita’s corregedoria is monitoring the case, and the probe could prompt tighter oversight of third-party management contracts.