Brazil police report series of fraud scams in Nova Santa Barbara and Godoy Moreira

Police in Nova Santa Barbara, Brazil, recorded several incidents on 5 August 2026. A 55‑year‑old woman received a call from someone claiming to be a Mercado Livre employee, was tricked into clicking a link that blocked her phone, and later faced impersonation attempts via WhatsApp. Police advised her on proper procedures. In the same patrol, officers arrested a man with an outstanding warrant, seized a vehicle carrying undeclared goods—including electronics, perfumes, and anabolic substances—and detained another individual found with a small amount of marijuana.

In Godoy Moreira, Vale do Ivaí, a woman was duped during a video call by fraudsters posing as retirement‑benefit representatives. She was persuaded to take out a bank loan, after which the scammers sent a Pix key and a payment slip. The victim reported the crime, and the Military Police filed an estelionato report and referred the case to the Judicial Police.