The Civil Police of São Paulo arrested two suspects on Monday (13) who are believed to be part of a gang specializing in cellphone thefts and bank fraud. The operation, named Broken Window, also executed search warrants at locations associated with the criminals operating in the city’s downtown area.
The investigation began following a cellphone theft that occurred in July. Utilizing the phone’s tracking capabilities, law enforcement initiated the first phase of the operation, leading to the discovery of a property in the Glicério neighborhood that served as the gang’s headquarters. Authorities seized phones, card machines, routers, SIM cards, and various documents from the site.
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Upon reviewing the seized items, officers uncovered the gang’s structure, which consisted of coordination and receiving units, street thieves, “tripeiros” (individuals responsible for accounts used in the frauds), and logistical support. After committing thefts, the suspects would breach the victims’ bank accounts, transferring funds to dummy accounts and front companies created to launder the money.
The case has been submitted to the judiciary, which ordered the freezing of assets amounting to over R$ 915,000, including cryptocurrencies, and issued temporary arrest warrants for the gang’s key leaders. Additionally, search and seizure warrants were executed at residential and commercial addresses in São Paulo and Ceará, leading to the suspension of economic activities and the dissolution of front companies involved in money laundering.
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So far, two individuals have been apprehended, while two others remain at large. During the execution of the judicial orders, authorities seized 15 cellphones, two vehicles, fraud equipment, and various documents linked to the criminal activities.
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