Naskar fraud: Lawyer for Bolsonaro defends arrested fintech partners

Lawyer Celso Vilardi, known for representing former President Jair Bolsonaro, has taken over the defense of three former partners of the fintech Naskar Gestão de Ativos. The individuals—Marcelo Liranco Arantes, Rogério Vieira, and José Maurício Volpato—were arrested in July 2026.

They are accused of leading a scheme that allegedly caused losses ranging from R$ 900 million to R$ 1 billion, affecting more than 3,000 investors. Following the arrests, Vilardi filed a habeas corpus request with the Superior Court of Justice (STJ).

Authorities identified Rogério Vieira as a highly influential figure within the group. Meanwhile, the alleged controller of the company, Douglas Silva de Oliveira Azara, remains a fugitive in the United Arab Emirates.