São Paulo Wi‑Fi program under fraud probe linked to 'Dark Horse' film

The Instituto Conhecer Brasil, a non‑governmental organisation led by Karina da Gama, signed a R$108 million contract with the São Paulo municipality to install 5,000 free Wi‑Fi points in low‑income neighbourhoods. After 3,200 points were installed, the contract received a R$49.1 million amendment for maintenance, bringing total payments to R$157.1 million.

Police Civil opened an investigation after discovering that the NGO hired the law firm Aguilera Martinez, which had previously represented federal deputy Mário Frias, paying the firm R$341,900 without a detailed service description. Authorities suspect that public funds from the Wi‑Fi programme may have been diverted to finance the production of "Dark Horse," a film about former president Jair Bolsonaro, and that there is a possible patrimonial confusion between the NGO and Go Up Entertainment, the producer of the film. The municipality has denied any irregularities.

The investigation includes financial analysis by COAF and has led to searches and seizures at the NGO and related entities.