# São Paulo gold theft and laundering investigation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/so-paulo-gold-theft-and-laundering-investigation
> Updated: 2026-08-24T10:21:20.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 2.

The São Paulo Civil Police, through the State Department of Criminal Investigations (DEIC), launched ‘Operação Ouro Reverso’ to dismantle a criminal network specializing in the theft, receipt, and trade of precious metals.

The investigation focuses on the theft and laundering of gold jewelry and wedding bands. Authorities allege that companies located in the ‘Círculo de Fogo’ (Circle of Fire) area of central São Paulo were utilized to melt down stolen jewelry to destroy evidence of its origin before reintroducing the metal into the legal market.

Law enforcement executed 35 judicial warrants, including 28 search and seizure orders and seven arrest warrants, across São Paulo and Guarulhos. This operation resulted in the freezing of approximately R$ 34 million in assets. Investigators have identified a three-tiered criminal structure consisting of executors who perform the thefts, processors who melt the gold, and financiers who manage money laundering through shell companies and fragmented deposits.

In a follow-up phase designated as ‘Operação Ouro Reverso 2’, authorities have expanded efforts to dismantle the network, resulting in the judicial freezing of approximately R$ 34.6 million in bank accounts linked to suspects. This phase has also led to the seizure of over R$ 1.5 million in jewelry and gold.

One investigative thread was reportedly sparked by a R$ 2 million gold necklace gifted to footballer Neymar in 2023, prompting police to investigate the manufacturer and the origin of the gold used.

In a related incident in central São Paulo, Military Police arrested four men following a jewelry store robbery in Praça João Mendes. The suspects utilized stolen vehicles and specialized tools, such as blowtorches, to commit the crime. Following a pursuit involving cars and a public bus, police intercepted the group and recovered jewelry and various criminal materials.

## Claims

- The 'Ouro Reverso 2' operation targets a criminal network involved in the theft, melting, and resale of stolen gold jewelry. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Authorities executed 28 search and seizure warrants and four arrest warrants in São Paulo and Guarulhos. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The investigation identified a central area in downtown São Paulo known as the 'Fire Circle' where companies allegedly melt stolen jewelry to hide its origin. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The court ordered the freezing of approximately R$ 34.6 million in bank accounts linked to the suspects. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Two military police officers were arrested on suspicion of robbing and raping a 17-year-old girl in eastern São Paulo. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Four men were arrested following a jewelry store robbery in central São Paulo. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- More than R$ 1.5 million in gold and jewelry was seized during the operation. (single source)
- One of the arrested officers, Willian Santana Santos, claimed the sexual encounter with the teenager was consensual and that he believed she was an adult. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-24: São Paulo police target gold theft ring and arrest officers for robbery and rape

São Paulo authorities are conducting major operations against gold jewelry theft networks and have arrested two military police officers suspected of robbery and rape in the eastern zone.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/so-paulo-police-freeze-r-34-million-in-gold-theft-investigation

### 2026-08-18: São Paulo police recover stolen Serpui luxury bags

São Paulo police recovered 113 luxury Serpui handbags worth R$ 260,000 stolen from Guarulhos Airport, resulting in one arrest and a manhunt for a second suspect.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/so-paulo-police-recover-stolen-serpui-luxury-bags

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Cite as: São Paulo gold theft and laundering investigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/so-paulo-gold-theft-and-laundering-investigation