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Federal Police Investigates Fraud of R$ 7 Million in FGTS of Athletes and Former Players, Involving Lawyer and Caixa Employees.
Federal Police Investigates Fraud of R$ 7 Million in FGTS of Football Players
The Federal Police is investigating a million-dollar fraud in FGTS. The scam allegedly diverted about R$ 7 million from players, former players, and football coaches. The Fake Agents III Operation was launched this Thursday (13), in Rio de Janeiro, and reveals the involvement of Caixa employees and lawyer Joana Costa Prado Oliveira, identified as the leader of the scheme.
According to the Federal Police, the group used false documents to illegally withdraw funds. In addition, they maintained contacts within bank branches, which facilitated irregular transactions. The fraud, therefore, affected well-known names in Brazilian and South American football, amplifying the impact of the case.
Famous Players Among the Victims of the Scam
According to the investigations, players like Cueva, Ramires, João Rojas, Raniel, and Titi had their benefits manipulated illegally. All of them have played for traditional clubs such as São Paulo, Santos, Vasco, and Cruzeiro.
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The former player Ramires, who also represented the Brazilian National Team, is among the main victims. The group of fraudsters, according to the Federal Police, operated with precision and used insider information to access accounts linked to the FGTS of the athletes.
Lawyer Identified as Leader of the Fraud
The lawyer Joana Costa Prado Oliveira is identified as the leader of the scheme. With access to internal information and strategic contacts at the Caixa Econômica Federal, she allegedly facilitated the irregular withdrawal of funds.
The Brazilian Bar Association (OAB) suspended Joana’s professional license following the initial reports. In August of this year, coach Oswaldo de Oliveira accused her of appropriating over R$ 3 million in funds that belonged to him.
Federal Police Operation Executes Warrants in Rio
In this phase of the Fake Agents III Operation, the Federal Police is executing four search and seizure warrants to deepen the investigation. Three actions are taking place at the homes of Caixa employees, located in the neighborhoods of Tijuca, Ramos, and Deodoro, while the fourth warrant is executed at a bank branch in downtown Rio de Janeiro.
During the operations, agents seize documents, computers, and cell phones, aiming to prove the direct involvement of the suspects in the fraud. Additionally, the collected material may reveal new connections and expand the reach of the investigations, allowing the Federal Police to proceed with greater precision in identifying all those responsible.
How the Investigation Started
The investigations began after a report made by a private bank, which suspected the activity of an account opened with false documents in the name of a Peruvian player. The athlete in question is Paolo Guerrero, who had R$ 2.2 million diverted from his FGTS.
The case drew the attention of the Department of Repression to Financial Crimes (Delefaz), which began to investigate the connection between the withdrawals and Caixa employees. The work is supported by the intelligence and security area of the state bank.
Crimes Under Investigation
The Federal Police stated that the investigated individuals will be charged with forgery of public documents, fraud, and criminal association, as well as other crimes that may arise as the investigation progresses. Thus, the agency remains focused on tracking the destination of the diverted funds and identifying new victims who, so far, have not yet noticed the losses in their accounts linked to the FGTS.
On the other hand, investigators highlight that each new piece of evidence found reinforces the scope of the fraud and helps to tighten the net on those involved, ensuring that the money is recovered and that the responsible parties are punished.
FGTS Fraud Raises Alert on Banking Security
The operation raises an alert about security on banking platforms, particularly in accounts linked to labor benefits. Cases like this highlight the importance of workers regularly checking their FGTS balance and reporting any suspicious activity.
The Federal Police continues its ongoing investigation and does not rule out new phases of the operation, as there are indications that the scam may have extended to other regions of the country.
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