Brazil police bust R$2 billion gambling money‑laundering scheme

money laundering jogo do bicho Brazil Federal Police construction front company

The Public Ministry and the Federal Police of Brazil carried out a coordinated operation that led to the arrest of a father and his son in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo. Investigators say the pair headed a front construction company used to conceal and move proceeds from illegal gambling activities, known as jogo do bicho, and slot‑machine operations.

Between January 2019 and March 2026, the scheme allegedly processed roughly R$2 billion, of which about R$100 million was withdrawn in cash. The operation executed nine arrest warrants and eleven search warrants in São José do Rio Preto (SP), Guapimirim (RJ), Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Campo Grande (MS). Justice authorities have ordered the blocking of assets belonging to 18 individuals and companies, including bank accounts, real estate, vehicles and crypto assets. The suspects face charges of organized crime and money laundering.

Entities: Brazilian Justice System · Campo Grande · Federal Police of Brazil · GAECOP · Public Ministry of Brazil · Rio de Janeiro · Special Action Group for Combatting Organized Crime (Gaeco) · São José do Rio Preto

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The money‑laundering scheme involved illegal gambling (jogo do bicho) and slot‑machine operations. (c9ecf18b-2f12-4118-945c-6ad4db24ad80)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Justice ordered the blocking of assets of 18 individuals and entities, including bank accounts, real estate, vehicles and crypto assets. (c9ecf18b-2f12-4118-945c-6ad4db24ad80)
[○ 1 SOURCE] A father and his son were arrested in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo. (c9ecf18b-2f12-4118-945c-6ad4db24ad80)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The suspects were accused of laundering approximately R$2 billion between January 2019 and March 2026. (c9ecf18b-2f12-4118-945c-6ad4db24ad80)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The operation was coordinated by GAECOP and the Federal Police, executing nine arrest warrants and eleven search warrants across four municipalities. (c9ecf18b-2f12-4118-945c-6ad4db24ad80)
[○ 1 SOURCE] A construction company was used as a front to conceal illicit proceeds. (c9ecf18b-2f12-4118-945c-6ad4db24ad80)