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Arrests And Searches Reveal Irregularities In Workshops In The DF, Focusing On Seniors Attracted By Cheap Services And Surprised By High Charges.
The Civil Police of the Federal District carried out an operation that resulted in the arrest of five suspects and the execution of 11 search and seizure warrants in the DF and Goiás in an investigation into irregular practices in mechanical workshops, with more than 80 victims and estimated losses of around R$ 600 thousand.
The action, called Operation Rota Scan III, was launched on February 25 and targeted a group investigated for deceiving customers inside workshops, especially seniors, who were attracted by offers of automotive services at below-market prices.
According to the corporation, consumers were led to pay high amounts after receiving what were considered abusive estimates, often for questionable services, and some reported intense pressure, threats, and even vehicle retention as a way to force payment.
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The investigations were conducted by the Coordination for the Repression of Crimes Against Consumers, Tax Order, and Fraud, which points to an organized operation, with strategies to hinder the identification of those responsible and keep the activities running.
Tire Scam: Attractive Ad And Charges Above Expected
According to the Civil Police, the first contact occurred through advertisements promising competitive prices for simple services, such as tire changes, alignment, and balancing, which reduced initial distrust and led the driver to the workshop.
On-site, the customer was informed that the vehicle had additional urgent problems, with an estimate that quickly increased, supported by technical assessments difficult to verify at the time of service.
When the consumer questioned the amounts or the necessity of the repairs, the investigation indicates that there was a change in the attitude of the service, with insistence for immediate payment and situations where the car remained at the workshop until the charged amount was settled.
The police claim that the method exploited the customer’s surprise and vulnerability in the face of a supposed technical analysis, reducing the time for reflection and for seeking external guidance.
Seniors Among The Main Affected
The investigators point out that seniors are among the main identified victims, as they are considered more susceptible to accepting technical explanations without immediate contestation, especially in a pressure-filled environment.
By focusing the approach on low-complexity services, the group expanded the reach of the practice and created a sense of urgency, in which the customer was already with the vehicle dismantled or under maintenance.
The Civil Police reports that the estimated loss of R$ 600 thousand was calculated based on records already formalized, but the total may increase if other people seek authorities to report similar situations.
Companies In The Names Of Third Parties And Continuity Of Activities
As disclosed by the corporation, those investigated had already been the target of previous actions related to similar practices in the workshop and tire trade sector in the Federal District.
To continue operating, according to the investigation, changes were made to social contracts and business registrations in the name of third parties, a practice that made it difficult to directly link the establishments to the same responsible parties.
This dynamic allowed the maintenance of activities even after police interventions, with formal changes in the administration of companies, but preservation of the mode of operation.
Lago Norte And Standard Of Living Under Review
Among those arrested is a suspect identified as the leader of the group, and reports from local media indicate that he resided in Lago Norte, in a property with a rent estimated at R$ 20 thousand per month, an amount that would be paid with funds obtained from the investigated activities.
The Civil Police reports that the investigation is ongoing to map financial movements, identify all involved, and locate other possible victims.
With the searches carried out in the DF and Goiás, the corporation seeks to expand the set of information about the group’s activities and assess the extent of irregularities in the local automotive service market.
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