São Paulo Court upholds convictions for lottery ticket scam trio

The 7th Criminal Law Chamber of the São Paulo Court of Justice has upheld the conviction of three men for fraud and criminal association. The court adjusted the sentences, which now range between three years and four months and three years and nine months of imprisonment, to be served in an initial closed regime.

The group targeted a 77-year-old man at a gas station using the ‘winning lottery ticket’ scam. One member claimed to have won R$ 1.4 million and promised R$ 200,000 to anyone helping him redeem it. A second member simulated a bank call to confirm the prize, while actually communicating with a third accomplice. Believing the deception, the victim handed over R$ 7,500, receiving only a sock filled with scraps of paper in return.

Relator Klaus Marouelli Arroyo noted that the group demonstrated a stable and permanent criminal bond, traveling from their home city to the northwest region of the state, staying together for several days, and using a common vehicle. The court highlighted that their organized pattern of targeting vulnerable elderly victims across different cities demonstrated premeditation and organization.