# Brazilian cryptocurrency investment fraud investigation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brazilian-cryptocurrency-investment-fraud-investigation
> Updated: 2026-08-13T15:44:18.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 2.

Authorities in Brazil have launched ‘Operação Criptoabate’ to dismantle a criminal organization involved in massive electronic fraud and money laundering. The investigation follows the loss of over R$ 37 million by a retiree through a ‘pig butchering scam’ (golpe do abate de porcos), where victims were lured into fake investment communities by fraudulent experts.

Police have arrested key suspects, including an individual identified as an owner of a financial institution, and are investigating a bank manager for allegedly facilitating the opening of accounts used by the group. Investigators are tracking the movement of up to R$ 30 billion through these fraudulent transactions.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-13: Operação Criptoabate targets massive R$ 37 million investment fraud

Police launched Operação Criptoabate to investigate a massive investment scam that cost a retiree R$ 37 million through a fake cryptocurrency platform.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-grande-do-sul-police-investigate-r-37-million-investment-fraud

### 2026-07-28: Portugal police return €500,000 stolen in crypto scam tied to farming video game

Portugal’s police recovered about €500,000 lost in a crypto fraud that used a fake farming game link, with Binance’s help, and identified the suspect.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portuguese-police-recover-halfmillion-euros-lost-in-crypto-videogame-scam

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Cite as: Brazilian cryptocurrency investment fraud investigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brazilian-cryptocurrency-investment-fraud-investigation