Operation arrests lawyers and broker for real estate fraud in Campinas

Operation arrests lawyers and broker for real estate fraud in Campinas André Luis Rosa/EPTV The Military Police and the Public Ministry of São Paulo (MP-SP) arrested two lawyers and a real estate broker suspected of taking third-party properties in Campinas (SP). Operation Dominus carried out three temporary arrest warrants and four search and seizure warrants. ? Join the g1 Campinas channel on WhatsApp According to the Special Action Group to Combat Organized Crime (Gaeco) in Piracicaba (SP), the gang used false documents and people in vulnerable situations as "oranges". They signed papers and were used in lawsuits without knowing what they were doing. How the scheme worked The investigation showed that the group divided the tasks: Real estate agent: chose the properties that would be taken and recruited vulnerable people into the scheme. Lawyers: they filed lawsuits in court, such as usucaption and eviction, in the name of the "oranges" to give the fraud a legal appearance and obtain the transfer of the premises. Criminals also altered public records and utility bills, such as water and electricity. Furthermore, the real owners of the properties were threatened not to resist the processes. It is suspected that witnesses received financial advantages to confirm the lies in court. Seizures Arrest and search warrants were issued by the Piracicaba Court. In the targets' homes and professional addresses, the teams seized documents, cell phones and computers, which will help identify new victims and others involved. The prisoners were taken to the 2nd Sectional Police Station of Campinas. They must respond for document forgery, misrepresentation, embezzlement, procedural fraud, threats, extortion and criminal association. g1 tries to locate the suspects’ defense.