Brazilian Federal Police arrest seven suspects in São Paulo for cybercrimes at banks.
It is estimated that the gang caused losses of around R$ 500, mainly targeting Caixa Econômica Federal, the group's preferred target.
Agência Brasil - The Federal Police (PF) arrested this morning (5), in São Paulo, seven members of a gang accused of cloning bank cards. During the so-called Operation Mercado Central, eight search warrants were also executed, resulting in the seizure of counterfeit magnetic cards, electronic equipment used for cloning, cars, money and luxury goods.
It is estimated that the gang caused losses of around R$ 500, mainly to Caixa Econômica Federal, the group's preferred target. Operating from São Paulo, the group spread to at least four other states: Bahia, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, and Paraíba. The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Police Superintendency in Bahia.
Most of the arrested members of the gang are between 25 and 35 years old. The seven men had been arrested before. According to the Federal Police, preliminary investigations indicate the group's involvement in the explosion of ATM machines as well.
The seven detainees and all seized goods are being sent to the Regional Superintendence of the Federal Police in São Paulo. Those involved will give statements before being taken to the prison system. They will face charges of aggravated theft by fraud, conspiracy, and breach of bank secrecy and cyber information access.
The Federal Police reached the suspects by identifying the fingerprints of two of the criminals. Evidence of their involvement was found on equipment installed to copy customer data, located in Caixa bank terminals in Salvador. From there, the police consulted the Banking Fraud Database of Project Tentacles.
Tentáculos is a system established by the Federal Police and Caixa Econômica Federal to combat electronic banking fraud. With all the information regarding digital crimes already investigated gathered in a single database, the Federal Police is able to identify the gangs involved in this type of crime more quickly.