Operation Emirados busts R$ 73 million fraud scheme in Rio Grande do Norte

A joint operation by the Rio Grande do Norte Public Prosecutor's Office and the Civil Police, dubbed Operation Emirados, was launched on 23 March. The raid targeted a criminal network involved in money laundering, tax evasion, organized crime and falsification of documents, responsible for over R$ 72 million in losses to public coffers.

Authorities arrested the alleged leader, a fuel‑station businessman from the Greater Natal area, and executed 33 search and seizure warrants across Natal, Parnamirim and São Gonçalo do Amarante. The operation seized nearly R$ 73 million in assets, including 18 properties, a yacht, cash, foreign currency, jewelry, vehicles and computers. The seized items also encompassed an imported car valued at about R$ 800 000 and a luxury condominium worth roughly R$ 2.5 million, registered under third parties.

The investigation uncovered a scheme using shell companies and “laranjas” to hide wealth and systematically evade taxes, particularly ICMS. The seized assets are intended to be returned to the public treasury to compensate the losses caused by the fraud.