Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
3 min of reading 
1 comment 
Case on Sunday (14) Became National News After Money Was Seized in Itapema Linked to a Negotiation That Ended in Fraud Report
The seizure of R$ 865 thousand in cash put Armazém, a municipality with just under 9 thousand inhabitants, in the spotlight in recent days. Part of the amount was sent to the home of Luiz Mendes (PSD), the mayor of the city in Santa Catarina, who confirmed that he was a victim of a scam during a negotiation involving bags of corn.
The incident mobilized security forces in Santa Catarina and raised immediate questions about the movement of such a large amount of cash.
The Scam Caught Attention Due to the Division in Bills of R$ 50, R$ 100, and R$ 200.
On Sunday (14), the Military Police, in partnership with municipal guards from Itapema (SC), seized R$ 865 thousand in cash.
-
The institute that trained the greatest aerospace engineers in Brazil has just opened its first campus outside São Paulo after 75 years: ITA Ceará will have R$ 445 million, new courses in energy and systems, and classes are expected to start in 2027.
-
Luciano Hang, owner of Havan, goes to Juiz de Fora after the tragedy in February, brings R$ 1 million, hands out R$ 2,000 cards, and donates up to R$ 15,000 to victims in the region.
-
The Brazilian passport allows legal residence in dozens of countries without the need for a prior visa, and most Brazilians are unaware that they can apply for residency directly upon arriving in nations in South America, Africa, and even Europe.
-
Petrobras sends a message to Brazilian truck drivers after fuel collapse and reveals plan to have 100% domestic diesel.
A portion of the amount was directed to a property linked to the mayor of Armazém, which amplified the impact and accelerated the search for explanations.
The scam drew attention due to the volume of money and the method of transportation, in packets and with division in bills of R$ 50, R$ 100, and R$ 200.
How the Scam Was Executed in the Corn Negotiation
The negotiation involved a purchase that could reach R$ 1 million, but the gathered amount remained at R$ 865 thousand, with plans for withdrawals at the bank.
Two men went to the mayor’s house, the money was counted, and the meeting proceeded as if the agreement was to be concluded.
During one of the trips to the bathroom, the original money was swapped for counterfeit bills, and the fraudsters disappeared soon after.
Why the Case Gained Attention in a City with Just Under 9 Thousand Inhabitants
Armazém has just under 9 thousand inhabitants, which makes any unusual occurrence quickly become a topic of conversation.
The association between the amount and a property of the mayor placed the municipal administration under scrutiny and rumors.
The mayor stated that the sum had no relation to the city hall and claimed to own a company, including an agribusiness.
What the Mayor Said About the Origin of the Money and the Receipts
After calling the Military Police, the mayor reported the scam and provided details of the packages and the bills used.
He stated that he had provided withdrawal receipts to demonstrate the origin of the money and mentioned that part was withheld due to a lack of receipts at the time.
The statement also included information that approximately R$ 498 thousand had already been reimbursed, with an ongoing review to verify the origin of the remainder.
Swift Arrest and How Much Was Recovered
After the occurrence was recorded, the suspects were located and approached on BR 101, near exit 137, in Balneário Camboriú.
The operation involved ROMU and the Military Police of Santa Catarina, with the money located in bags with a security system.
There was reimbursement of R$ 498 thousand. Around R$ 367 thousand is still missing, plus a discrepancy of approximately R$ 6 thousand that was no longer in the package.
The Municipal Guard of Itapema reported that the money was in bags with a security system, making prior access to the contents difficult.
During the approach, the men stated that the money came from a negotiation and preferred not to elaborate further, keeping the case under investigation.
The investigation continues to clarify the path of the remaining money and to consolidate evidence of the source of the moved funds.
The case illustrates how well-articulated scams can target even those who have worked for decades in the sector and how signs like below-market prices and cash payment demands increase the risk.
What do you think of this case? Situations like this show that scams can affect anyone, regardless of experience. Leave your comment and share your opinion about the episode and the precautions that negotiations of this type require.
Que reportagem confusa,na verdade falaram tanto e não disseram o que realmente aconteceu.