Samuel Morais da Hora linked to R$14.8 million money‑laundering scheme
Samuel Morais da Hora, a 36‑year‑old businessman, declared a monthly income of only R$ 4,000 while evidence showed a lavish lifestyle with trips to Dubai, Paris and Santorini. He is a partner in SN Cell Peças, Acessórios e Equipamentos Ltda., which moved roughly R$ 14.8 million in nine months through a storefront that sold cell‑phone accessories and allegedly handled counterfeit and stolen electronics.
The investigation was part of Operation Hawala, launched on 15 July 2026 by the Rio de Janeiro Police Civil and the State Public Ministry. Authorities issued ten arrest warrants and 37 search‑and‑seizure warrants across Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Foz do Iguaçu, blocked the suspects’ assets and financial holdings, and linked the laundering network to the criminal faction Terceiro Comando Puro (TCP).
Entities: Banco do Brasil · Ivoti · Operation Hawala · Police Civil of Rio Grande do Sul · Renault Sandero · Renault Symbol · Rio de Janeiro Police Civil · SN Cell Peças, Acessórios e Equipamentos Ltda. · Samuel Morais da Hora · Terceiro Comando Puro (TCP)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The money‑laundering network is linked to the criminal faction Terceiro Comando Puro (TCP). (existing)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Samuel Morais da Hora declared a monthly income of R$ 4,000. (existing)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] SN Cell Peças moved approximately R$ 14.8 million in nine months. (existing)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Operation Hawala was launched on 15 July 2026 by Rio de Janeiro Police Civil and the State Public Ministry. (existing)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Authorities blocked assets and financial holdings of the suspects involved in the scheme. (existing)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Samuel Morais da Hora is a partner in SN Cell Peças, Acessórios e Equipamentos Ltda. (existing)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Ten people have been arrested and 37 search and seizure warrants executed in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Foz do Iguaçu. (existing)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The scheme used smurfing techniques and front companies to disguise illicit funds. (existing)