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A Fraud Involving the INSS Generated a Major Social and Political Impact, Bringing to Light the Failures in the Control of Deductions on Benefits, and Now the Government is Preparing to Compensate the Victims and Investigate the Responsible Parties.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke out this Saturday, 10, about the investigation of the fraud at the National Institute of Social Security (INSS) and the process of compensating the victims of the criminal scheme.
In statements made after his trip to Russia, Lula took the opportunity to link the scandal to the administration of former President Jair Bolsonaro, pointing out that the fraud began during the government of his political adversary.
The case, which generated significant political fallout and resulted in a series of developments, brought to light the manipulation of unauthorized deductions in benefits for retirees and pensioners.
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According to Lula, the situation is “serious” and involves a true “assault” on the pockets of the country’s most vulnerable citizens.
Lula on the Delay in Investigations: “I Will Not Create a Spectacle”
When questioned about the delay in the investigations and the government’s measures to reimburse the beneficiaries affected by the fraud, Lula stated that the reason for the hold-up is to ensure a more thorough investigation.
The president emphasized that he is not interested in creating a “spectacle”, in other words, generating a media circus, but rather in uncovering the truth behind the criminal scheme.
The member of the Workers’ Party also explained that the investigations are being conducted seriously and strategically, utilizing intelligence information and without excessive disclosure of details.
He highlighted that the goal is to dismantle a gang that, according to him, was created in 2019 during the Bolsonaro administration.
For the president, the initial lack of agility in the investigations reflects the need to avoid a “show of spectacle”, as often happens with other allegations, which end up being forgotten over time.
Misappropriations of Up to R$ 6 Billion: the “No Deduction” Operation
The scandal involving illegal deductions from Social Security benefits generated a series of reactions, including from the government.
The “No Deduction” operation, conducted by the Federal Police (PF) and the Office of the Comptroller General of the Union (CGU), is investigating misappropriations of at least R$ 6 billion, which were withdrawn from the accounts of retirees and pensioners without proper authorization.
According to Lula, the fraud did not involve resources directly from the INSS coffers, but rather money deducted from the retirees and pensioners themselves.
“The crime was an assault on retirees and pensioners in this country. What I find most serious is that they didn’t go to the INSS coffers, but rather to the people’s pockets,” said the president.
This statement reinforces the severity of the fraud, as it affected the most vulnerable Brazilians.
Bolsonaro and the Revocation of Control of Deductions: the Milestone of the Fraud
The fraud scheme at the INSS began to gain notoriety in 2018 during the government of Jair Bolsonaro.
However, the situation worsened starting in 2023, in the first year of Lula’s government, with a substantial increase in the number of frauds.
One of the main factors for this increase was a measure adopted by Bolsonaro in 2022, which revoked control over deductions in pension benefits.
Lula Links Fraud to Ministers of the Bolsonaro Government
Lula also made an indirect reference to the ministers of the Civil House and the Social Security during the Bolsonaro government, suggesting that political figures from the previous administration may have been involved in the scheme.
Although he did not mention names, the president made it clear that the fraud had roots in his predecessor’s government and that the investigation is in full swing to uncover responsibilities.
The Process of Compensating the Victims: “The Victims Will Not Be Harmed”
Regarding the compensation for the victims, Lula explained that the government still needs to systematize the total amount of the fraud and identify all the beneficiaries who were harmed.
The president assured that the victims will not be harmed and that those who defrauded the system by creating entities and making false promises will be punished.
“The victims will not be harmed. Those who dared to exploit Brazilian retirees and pensioners will be the ones harmed,” stated Lula.
Haddad and Tebet: Guarantees of Full Compensation
The issue of compensation was addressed by other members of the government.
The Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad, revealed that the Attorney General’s Office (AGU) informed that the funds blocked in the accounts of the associations and unions involved in the frauds are sufficient to cover the amount owed to the harmed retirees and pensioners.
Minister of Planning, Simone Tebet, guaranteed that, if necessary, the Union will supplement the funds with public money to ensure the full compensation of the affected beneficiaries.
The Political and Social Impact of the Fraud at the INSS
The fraud at the INSS not only generated a financial scandal but also had significant political impact, especially for the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The opposition has widely exploited the case, using it as leverage on social media to attack the current administration.
The change in command of the Ministry of Social Security and the departure of the PDT from the allied base were some of the direct consequences of the scandal.
The Importance of Serious Investigation Without “Show”
Lula reinforced that the government’s priority is to conduct a serious and thorough investigation without the appeal of a “spectacle”, as he himself described.
For the president, it is essential that the investigation be meticulous and unhurried, to ensure that those responsible are identified and punished according to the law.
And Now, Who Really Benefited from This Fraud?
The fraud at the INSS not only directly affects retirees and pensioners but also raises questions about the actions of former and current members of the government.
How will the responsible parties be held accountable? What can be done to prevent scandals like this from happening again in the future? The story is far from over, and the unfolding of this investigation promises new developments.
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