Lucimério Barros Campos explained that Operation Game Over was conducted by the Fraud Division following complaints from individuals who had lost significant amounts of money on online betting platforms. He detailed that illegal 'Bets' use digital payment intermediaries that receive bettors’ payments via Pix and forward them to the betting operators. These intermediaries are not financial institutions, and therefore, asset freezing is not possible.
"The path is always the same: bettor, payment intermediary, and betting site. (...) After people started complaining about their losses after gambling, we noticed that these fintechs, the payment intermediaries, are clandestine payment methods created by individuals with no connection to the established legal entity (...) We identified R$15 million (US$ 2.6m) involved in clandestine bets as part of that investigation in Alagoas."
Deceptive advertising
The police chief claimed that illegal betting sites hire influencers and allow them to use fake accounts in the betting app to simulate winning money and then promote it to their followers. According to Lucimério, the influencer earns money from the betting site to attract more players—not from actually betting on the platform. He presented audio and video evidence to the CPI to demonstrate how the criminal schemes work.
"To place a bet, users must download an app. In that app, influencers received the so-called demo account. They also got a real account, used to share links for people to click and bet, but alongside it they received another link—where they would log in, simulate gameplay, record their screen showing fake big wins. All of it was deception."
Predatory advertising
The police chief suggested that Congress regulate paragraph 5 of article 173 of the Federal Constitution, which provides for laws that hold legal entities accountable for "acts committed against the economic and financial order and against popular economy."
"Today, we lack appropriate legislation to tackle not only individuals, but also legal entities in the criminal sphere."
He argued that illegal 'Bets' operators exploit people using misleading ads that promise prizes that never materialize. Lucimério also defended regulation of advertising by legal 'Bets', which pay millions to celebrities to attract more players. He mentioned cases of people losing thousands of reais, jeopardizing their own finances and their families’.
"This money is coming from someone—from the bettor. If there’s no proper regulation of this type of activity, given its predatory nature, we’re talking about a major public health risk for Brazilians. It takes money out of people’s homes and prevents it from circulating in the local economy, redirecting it straight to the 'Bets'."
"If they are clandestine, the money doesn’t even stay in Brazil. (...) Some may argue: ‘But people gamble because they want to.’ Sure, it’s a personal decision. But with such persuasive, aggressive, and predatory advertising, vulnerable individuals tend to believe the false promises. (...) This kind of advertising is harmful to society. It must be restrained."
Money laundering
Responding to CPI rapporteur Senator Soraya Thronicke, Lucimério said the police investigation began as a fraud case, but due to its scale, it was transferred to a criminal court specializing in organized crime.
"As we advanced in the investigation, we realized there was a foreign individual operating behind the scenes, manipulating a group of recruiters in Brazil. Often, he reached out directly via social media to the influencers. We identified multiple layers of tasks, with each person responsible for specific roles. These actions were framed as criminal organization activity due to the structured operation of these bets. We also uncovered evidence of money laundering."
Senator Dr. Hiran noted that illegal betting operators do not pay taxes and send funds abroad without accountability.
"There is clear tax evasion and capital flight happening in our country, and we urgently need regulation—including retroactive taxation. (...) We must collect the taxes from these 'Bets' that they should have paid over the past five years."
Senator Damares Alves, who first proposed inviting the police chief to speak before the CPI, said that civil police forces in various states have also conducted similar investigations into online betting.
"Operation Master Trick in Pará found one person moving R$23 million (US$ 4m); Operation Virtual Claws in Goiás went after influencers; Operation Vegas in Rio Grande do Sul did too; Operation Dirty Game in Maranhão and Piauí resulted in over 30 arrest warrants; Operation 777 in Mato Grosso involved more than 19 digital influencers; Operation Giza in Ceará arrested many; and operations in Minas Gerais, in addition to yours. Congratulations to the brave officers taking on this disgusting, billion-dollar industry! I believe, Doctor, that you’re making a huge contribution to Brazil. Don’t give up!” said Damares.
Source: Agência Senado
