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A farmer tried to circumvent the electricity system using improvised methods, but ended up being caught and arrested, causing repercussions throughout the state.
A bold attempt to circumvent the electricity billing system ended in arrest, handcuffs and a lesson on the limits of rural creativity.
A 70-year-old farmer, resident of the rural area of Vila Valério, in Espírito Santo, was arrested after being discovered using illegal methods to supply his property with electricity without going through the concessionaire's billing system.
The discovery was made on Wednesday (7), during a joint operation between technicians from EDP, a company that distributes energy in the region, and experts from the Scientific Police.
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The target of the inspection was a property located in Córrego Paraju, an agricultural district that concentrates several family producers and small farms.
What the teams found at the site was surprising due to the improvised sophistication of the illegal scheme.
Two fraud systems in operation
According to EDP, two distinct forms of energy theft were found: a direct connection to the electricity grid and tampering with the official meter.
In other words, part of the energy was diverted directly from the grid, without any registration, while another part was camouflaged by a manipulated meter, which registered only a fraction of the real consumption.
The diverted energy supplied two houses, three coffee dryers and a grain processing machine.
This indicates that the scheme was not just for domestic use, but also to keep agricultural production equipment running — which may have increased the severity of the charge.
“What we found clearly characterizes energy theft, which is a crime provided for in the Penal Code,” EDP reported in a press release.
The company highlighted that, as it is a practice that directly interferes with the measurement system, fraud can even compromise the security of the local electricity grid.
Arrest and referral to the prison system
During the inspection, the farmer followed the entire operation, but was unable to escape the technical evidence.
He was immediately taken to the Nova Venécia Regional Police Station, where the Civil Police confirmed the charge of qualified theft of electricity.
After legal procedures, he was sent to the prison system.
Qualified theft is defined in article 155 of the Brazilian Penal Code and, when it involves fraud, can lead to more severe penalties, ranging from two to eight years in prison.
In the case of meter tampering, the legislation understands that there was an effort to deceive the billing system, which constitutes an aggravating factor.
Creativity or crime? The limits of “cleverness” in the field
Cases like that of the farmer from Vila Valério reveal a reality that goes beyond the simple attempt to save on the electricity bill.
Many residents of rural areas face difficulties in covering fixed costs and see “gambiarra” as an alternative for survival.
However, the problem becomes serious when this poses risks to public safety, financial losses to the electrical system and constitutes a crime.
According to data from the Brazilian Association of Electric Energy Distributors (Abradee), Brazil loses around R$10 billion per year due to energy theft, popularly known as 'gatos'.
Many of these losses occur in urban areas, but rural areas are not immune — and, in many cases, are even more vulnerable to inspection.
Inspections have increased throughout Brazil
In recent years, dealerships have stepped up inspection operations and invested in technology to remotely identify fraud.
New smart meters, consumption sensors and data cross-referencing allow deviations such as the one identified in Vila Valério to be detected more accurately.
EDP, for example, states that it carries out frequent actions on rural and urban properties, precisely to curb practices that harm the system.
In addition, there are educational campaigns to raise awareness among the population about the risks and legal consequences of energy theft.
The practice, although it may seem advantageous in the short term for those who carry it out, can have serious consequences.
In addition to imprisonment and criminal proceedings, the perpetrator may be required to reimburse the estimated amounts of energy diverted, which may generate significant debts.
A case that draws attention for its boldness and impact
The episode in Vila Valério generated repercussions in the region and reignited the debate on the challenges of energy supply in agricultural areas.
While some point out the need for greater support and fairer tariffs for the countryside, others warn that impunity for frauds like this only encourages new attempts.
Despite his advanced age, the farmer will be held legally liable like any other citizen.
Brazilian legislation does not exempt elderly people from criminal liability, except in cases of proven incapacity.
This is not an isolated case. In 2024, other similar actions resulted in the arrest of rural producers in states such as Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso and Paraná.
Frauds generally follow the same pattern: direct connections, changes to meters and even improvised parallel networks.
A lesson on the risks of misinformation and “easy solutions”
Even with all the economic challenges faced by rural producers, it is essential that the search for alternatives does not exceed the limits of legality.
Energy technicians warn that the risks of an irregular system go beyond the financial issue: they can cause short circuits, fires and serious accidents.
Furthermore, depending on the structure involved, energy theft can compromise the supply of entire communities and cause overload in transformers and network cables.
Creativity, when used illegally, can become a trap.
The case of the 70-year-old farmer is yet another warning about how seemingly “harmless” attitudes can generate disproportionate consequences.
Have you ever seen or known someone who tried to save money in a dangerous way? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation!
