World · Latin America · 1 hr ago
Man arrested in Brazil over suspected R$480 million money-laundering scheme
São Paulo police arrested a man in Bahia on suspicion of belonging to a criminal group accused of electronic fraud and money laundering.
Investigators say the group moved about R$480 million through shell companies in a few months, using nearly 5,000 transactions.
The investigation began in 2022 after a victim reported losing more than R$30,000 to a supposed online investment scheme.
The group allegedly used digital bank accounts opened in other people’s names, then quickly transferred the money to companies used to hide its origin.
Investigators say some people were recruited with promises of food baskets, jobs or small payments, and had their photos and documents used to open accounts without understanding the criminal purpose.
Police have asked prosecutors to recognize those account holders as victims rather than suspects.
The arrest was part of Operation Cineris, whose first phase in August 2025 led to searches and arrests; the investigation has also identified victims in at least 10 Brazilian states.
São Paulo civil police arrested a man suspected of belonging to a group involved in electronic fraud and money laundering.
Authorities say the group moved about R$480 million through shell companies in a few months.
The suspect had been wanted since the first phase of Operation Cineris in August 2025.
Investigators say the scheme used digital bank accounts opened in other people’s names to move victims’ money.
The man was found in Banzaê, Bahia, after police received information from Bahia’s civil police.
- Who
- A man suspected of belonging to a criminal organization involved in electronic fraud and money laundering.
- What
- He was arrested under a warrant issued by a court in São Paulo.
- When
- Thursday, November 12; the article was published on November 15, 2026.
- Where
- Banzaê, in the state of Bahia, Brazil.
- Why
- He was suspected of being part of a group that allegedly moved about R$480 million through shell companies.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Police began investigating the crimes after a victim reported losing more than R$30,000 in an online investment scheme.
The first public phase of Operation Cineris included 22 search warrants and seven preventive arrest warrants.
Police arrested the suspect in Banzaê, Bahia, under a warrant issued by a São Paulo court.
- Alleged amount moved
- About R$480 million
- Arrest location
- Banzaê, Bahia
- First operation phase
- August 27, 2025
- Victims identified
- At least 10 Brazilian states
- Transactions by one company
- Nearly 5,000
- Money received by eight accounts
- More than R$1.5 million in less than seven days