Police find "central" cell phones stolen with "jammers" in SP
The São Paulo Civil Police found an apartment used as a type of "center" for receiving stolen cell phones during Operation Contrafeixe, which began this Wednesday (10) in the capital of São Paulo.
According to delegates from Deic (State Department of Criminal Investigations), the property stored 182 cell phones and 42 rings allegedly resulting from robberies and thefts. At the scene, investigators also seized four signal blockers, known as "jammers", used to make it difficult to track devices.
According to the police, the equipment was so powerful that it affected the internet connection of the entire building, generating frequent complaints from residents and calls from service providers.
The operation carried out 19 search and seizure warrants against individuals identified as members of a network responsible for receiving, cataloging and selling cell phones stolen by criminals operating in the capital of São Paulo, including groups known for the practice of so-called "break-glass", a modality in which thieves break the windows of vehicles to steal objects from victims.
According to investigators, the seized devices underwent a screening and organization process. Cell phones were labeled and stored in conditions designed to make it difficult for authorities to locate them.
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The operation resulted in the arrest of one person. Another eight remain under investigation.
During the press conference, Deic representatives stated that the criminal structure moved millions of reais per month and functioned as an important outlet for stolen products. The estimated value of the assets seized this Wednesday varies between R$400,000 and R$500,000.
According to investigators, unlocked cell phones had greater value on the underground market because they allowed access to victims' banking and financial applications, enabling transfers and fraud. The blocked devices continued to be resold for parts or sent to other markets.
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The delegates also stated that the receivers did not only work with cell phones. The organization received various objects stolen on the streets, including wedding rings and other belongings taken from victims during robberies.
A physical store suspected of receiving devices for disassembly and sale of parts was also the target of searches.
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According to Deic, the investigation is part of a strategy aimed at weakening the economic chain that supports robberies and cell phone theft in the capital. Efforts continue to identify others involved and expand the mapping of the reception network.
Those under investigation may be held liable for crimes such as criminal association, theft, theft, receiving and theft through electronic fraud.
Source: CNN