Goiás authorities detain suspects in vehicle financing fraud scheme

A Brazilian court has ordered the preventive detention of Keythlyn Evelyn Teixeira de Lima and Patrícia de Oliveira Santos following an investigation into a vehicle financing fraud scheme in Goiás.

Known as ‘Operação Quitação Falsa’, the investigation by the Goiás Civil Police reveals that the suspects allegedly promised to renegotiate vehicle financing installments and secure significant discounts for clients. Instead, they instructed victims to deposit funds directly into personal accounts, claiming the money would be used for judicial settlements or negotiation fairs. The funds were never transferred to the financial institutions, leaving victims at risk of vehicle seizure.

Patrícia de Oliveira Santos reportedly posed as a lawyer to gain credibility, using legal symbols and access tokens from a licensed professional. The fraud has impacted numerous victims since 2020, with reports extending beyond the state of Goiás. The Brazilian Bar Association (OAB-GO) is monitoring the case to protect professional prerogatives.