PF fulfills warrants in the new phase of the operation against frauds in the INSS
The Federal Police (PF) launched on Wednesday (14) a new phase of the operation without discount, which investigates a fraud scheme in undue discounts in the benefits of retirees and pensioners of the National Institute of Social Security (INSS). The agents fulfill two search and seizure warrants in the city of Presidente Prudente (SP), to locate hidden assets of those involved.
The operation was authorized by the Federal Court in the Federal District and occurs as a continuity of the action carried out in late April, which led to the resignation of the then president of the INSS, Alessandro Stefanutto, and the removal of five other public servants. The repercussion of the case also resulted in the exchange of command of the Ministry of Social Security, with the departure of Carlos Lupi and the appointment of Wolney Queiroz.
According to the Federal Police, the new phase of the operation seeks to deepen the investigation and identify goods that may have been hidden by the suspects, expanding the tracking of money and illegal accumulated assets.
Action Mira Financial Operator linked to one of the financial institutions investigated by participation of fraud in the INSS. He is suspected of having bought luxury vehicles with money from deviations.
INSS will correct by refund inflation of discounted values before reimbursement
Government also negotiates with post office so that the network of about 8.5 thousand agencies across the country can support service to beneficiaries
Questions and Answers: See details on the refund of INSS fraud discounts
About nine million policyholders were impacted, according to the government
Fraud and billionaire damage
Investigations point out that associations that offer services to retirees and pensioners had been registering beneficiaries without authorization, using false signatures to apply discounts directly on INSS payments. According to the PF and the Comptroller General of the Union (CGU), the scheme began in 2019, during the government of Jair Bolsonaro, and continued in the current government of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT).
Between 2019 and 2024, the damage to retirees can reach R $ 6.3 billion. In the first phase of the operation, the suspects were seized with various luxury items, including cash, cars such as a Ferrari, jewelry, designer watches and high value frames.
The Path of Investigation
The new phase of the operation seeks to expand the mapping of goods acquired by those involved in the scheme, including properties, vehicles and other assets that may have been hidden to escape the seizure.
PF and CGU continue to analyze documents and tracking financial movements of the suspects to determine the real scope of the scheme and ensure the recovery of diverted values of retirees and pensioners. The operation remains underway, and new actions are not discarded.
