Brazilian Police Launch Twin Operations Targeting Gambling Money Laundering and Corporate Fraud

Overview

• DEIC Piracicaba executed Operation Quebrando a Banca against an alleged gambling-linked laundering network active for years in São Paulo and Minas Gerais, seizing luxury vehicles, betting devices and electronics.
• Police say the scheme used smurfing via Pix, shell companies and low‑income fronts to disguise funds, with suspects expected to face charges of money laundering, criminal association and illicit gambling.
• A cashier with a declared R$1,800 monthly salary allegedly moved millions via Pix, while another target handled R$25 million in one semester and bought an R$800,000 property in cash.
• Authorities report that flows were funneled through a legally constituted betting firm in Ribeirão Preto and estimate the total movement could reach up to R$500 million, pending forensic verification.
• In Bahia, Operation Ômega targets ex-employees accused of internal fraud at a beverage distributor, with searches yielding six vehicles (two luxury), two motorcycles, about R$45,000 in cash and a firearm, plus court-ordered account blocks up to R$6 million and the sequestration and early sale authorization of five properties; one person was detained for firearm possession and released on bail.