Operation targets scam scheme for ICMS credits in SP
An operation launched by Deic (State Department of Criminal Investigations) this Tuesday (26) targets a scam scheme through the sale of fictitious ICMS (Tax on Circulation of Goods and Services) credits that has already caused losses of R$ 30 million.
The action, in conjunction with auditors from Sefaz (Secretariat of Finance and Planning), complies with 19 warrants, five for arrest and 14 for search and seizure at addresses in the capital of São Paulo, in Greater São Paulo, Campinas, and in the state of Paraná, in addition to the kidnapping of assets totaling R$362 million and 6 properties.
The "Respiro da Baleia" operation is the result of a Task Force of the 3rd DIG/DEIC (Financial and Economic Fraud Investigation Department) and the Sefaz Inspection Directorate. Denarc teams from Londrina/PR are also part of the action, totaling 53 agents.
According to investigations, the scheme was structured in four stages, with names similar to those used by the financial market:
- The first phase is Social engineering, when those involved obtained information about the victims
- In the second phase, the "gatekeeper" (or trusted man) misled companies by offering fictitious credits with attractive discounts
- Afterwards, the victim deposited significant amounts monthly in a shell company (vault company), where the embezzled money was concentrated
- The last phase is concealment ("layering"), where the amounts were disseminated among members of a "laundering family" through "smurfing" techniques (fractionation), distancing the capital from its illicit origin.
The asset laundering cycle was completed through shell consultancies and companies owned by a hidden partner, also relying on a "reverse flow" mechanism, used to simulate payment and delay the perception of losses.
The loss caused by the scheme already exceeds R$30 million and involves crimes such as embezzlement, money laundering, criminal organization, ideological falsehood and tax crimes.
Investigations into the case may also reveal new victims and open space for recovery of assets by the São Paulo State Public Treasury.
Integrated operation causes losses of R$213 million to organized crime | NOW CNN
*Under the supervision of Carolina Figueiredo
Source: CNN