Boat store in Limeira is investigated on suspicion of scams on customers The boat and nautical equipment store that was the target of the "Barco Furado" operation, this Wednesday (15), in Limeira (SP), had a recurring pattern of scams carried out against customers, according to the Civil Police. In the action, the police seized 15 vessels without proven origin, including speedboats, aluminum boats and a jet ski, and eight outboard engines of different brands and powers. Furthermore, the 63-year-old owner of the store was arrested for having an unregistered .38 caliber revolver. The man's name was not released. Follow g1 Piracicaba on Instagram The police also seized R$6,540 in cash, eight check sheets, bank cards and the owner's cell phone. Until the last update of this report, his defense had not been located. Vehicle seized in a boat store investigated by the police in Limeira (SP) Civil Police READ ALSO The scheme took advantage of a vulnerability in the system to cause a loss of R$ 9 million to a financial institution in SP Scams worth 'hundreds of thousands of reais' According to the investigations, the company had been operating for around three years and attracted customers interested in purchasing boats, engines, jet skis or contracting maintenance services and resale of nautical equipment. The store received advance payments via Pix or check, and, after that, the products were not delivered and services were not performed. When victims left their own equipment at the company, it was retained without justification. According to the Civil Police, the damage caused to the victims exceeds "hundreds of thousands of reais". The values ??are still calculated, as is the number of victims. The company in Limeira had been operating for around three years and attracted customers interested in purchasing vessels Civil Police When faced with charges, even according to investigations, the suspects presented recurring excuses, such as supplier delays or health problems, and interrupted contact with customers. "In some cases, victims were prevented from entering the establishment to retrieve their belongings," say the police. The investigation also found the use of third-party bank accounts, including family members of those investigated, to receive the amounts paid by the victims. Customers were advised to make transfers to these accounts, and not to the company's account. "The practice is analyzed as a possible strategy to hide the origin and destination of resources obtained through fraud", highlight the authorities. Victims were prevented from entering the establishment to retrieve their belongings in a boat store investigated by the police in Limeira Civil Police Investigation To date, the police have already recorded seven police reports registered against the company, in addition to three legal collection processes. The number of incidents against the store may increase after the case becomes public, the police pointed out. The Civil Police reported that the investigation remains ongoing. The seized cell phone and bank documents will undergo forensic examination authorized by the Court to map the financial flow of the scheme. The seized weapon will also undergo ballistics tests. Cases must initially be investigated as fraud. Police have already recorded seven police reports registered against the boat store investigated in Limeira Civil Police VIDEOS: everything about Piracicaba and the region See more news about the region at g1 Piracicaba