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Brazil cell phone theft trends and recovery operations

Updated 11 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-22 12:54 UTC → 2026-09-22 14:23 UTC · added removed

By mid-2026, the 20th Brazilian Public Security Yearbook confirmed a downward trend in mobile device crime for 2025. Total incidents fell to 830,890 from 909,753 the previous year, a 9% decrease. This was driven by an 18.6% drop in violent robberies (308,723 cases), while non-violent thefts saw a slight increase of 0.9% (483,561 incidents). São Paulo remains a major hub, accounting for 20% of all incidents despite holding 5.6% of the population. Nationally, São Luís recorded the highest theft rate, followed by Belém and São Paulo. Law enforcement has intensified efforts to combat the trade of stolen devices. The national ‘Última Chamada’ operation, coordinated by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, is targeting has targeted the irregular sale of mobile phones across eight states, including Pará, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo, to disrupt the supply chain of stolen or smuggled devices. In São Paulo, the operation has led to the seizure of hundreds of electronics and multiple arrests, while in Natal, authorities seized 82 electronic items valued at R$ 170,000. Federal Police and Federal Highway Police have also intercepted massive shipments of iPhones. Paulo. In Roraima, over 1,200 iPhones worth approximately R$ 10 million were seized, and 468 iPhones were recovered in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná. Additionally, a Federal Police operation in Rio de Janeiro targeted a smuggling ring estimated to have moved R$ 60 million through the illegal importation of electronics. In Bahia, the Civil Police expanded recovery efforts through the ‘Mobile 360° Operation’ (Operação Mobile 360°). Between recovered 2,099 phones over a 60-day period. On September 15 and 18, 21, 2026, authorities inspected approximately 600 the Ministry of Justice and Public Security launched the second phase of ‘Operation Last Call’. This permanent, integrated action expands the focus to inspecting commercial establishments specializing involved in the illegal sale and maintenance of mobile devices, recovering about 500 phones flagged for theft or robbery. Over a 60-day period, this specific operation has recovered a total unauthorized products like clandestine TV boxes, and improperly imported electronics. The initiative integrates federal agencies, including the Federal Revenue and Procon, to strengthen oversight of 2,099 the mobile phones. trade and disrupt criminal supply chains.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-22 14:23 UTC Brazil cell phone theft trends and recovery operations
  2. 2026-09-22 12:54 UTC Brazil cell phone theft trends and recovery operations
  3. 2026-09-18 14:52 UTC Brazil cell phone theft trends and recovery operations
  4. 2026-09-18 03:03 UTC Brazil cell phone theft trends and recovery operations
  5. 2026-09-11 14:25 UTC Brazil cell phone theft trends and recovery operations
  6. 2026-09-10 17:04 UTC Brazil cell phone theft trends and recovery operations
  7. 2026-09-03 21:14 UTC Brazil cell phone theft trends and recovery operations
  8. 2026-08-28 23:57 UTC Brazil cell phone theft trends and recovery operations
  9. 2026-08-28 00:19 UTC Brazil cell phone theft trends and recovery operations
  10. 2026-08-21 10:26 UTC Brazil cell phone theft trends and recovery operations
  11. 2026-08-20 03:56 UTC Brazil cell phone theft trends and recovery operations
  12. 2026-08-10 19:55 UTC Brazil cell phone theft trends

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