Brazilian Federal Police Launch Operation Invisible Theater, Targeting 3.5 Billion Reais Electoral Fraud in Rio de Janeiro

The Brazilian Federal Police (PF) launched the second phase of Operation Invisible Theater on Wednesday, targeting a criminal organization suspected of spreading electoral disinformation in Rio de Janeiro. The operation involved executing 10 search and seizure warrants across multiple cities including Cabo Frio, Itaguaí, Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, and Juiz de Fora in Minas Gerais. Key targets of the operation include the mayor of Cabo Frio, Dr. Serginho (PL), state deputy Valdecy da Saúde (PL), who ran for mayor in São João de Meriti, and Aarão (PP), a former mayoral candidate in Mangaratiba. The scheme allegedly used public funds to hire actors to stage dialogues in public spaces to influence voters during the 2024 municipal elections. The investigation revealed that the criminal group caused a financial loss of approximately 3.5 billion reais to public coffers through fraudulent contracts with eight companies. These funds were used to pay actors, who received 2,000 reais monthly, and coordinators, who were paid 5,000 reais monthly, to spread false information. The PF also uncovered evidence of money laundering, with illegal transactions through intermediary accounts, cash handling, high financial activity in companies, and the acquisition of high-value assets. The operation also led to the blocking of 3.5 billion reais in the accounts of those under investigation and the suspension of the activities of the involved companies. Simultaneously, the PF conducted Operation KÉFALE, targeting a drug trafficking and money laundering scheme with international routes, primarily centered in Porto de Galinhas, Pernambuco. This operation involved 60 arrest warrants and 49 search and seizure warrants across 10 states, with over 400 police officers involved. In a separate investigation, the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police are probing the involvement of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) in money laundering through gas stations in Rio de Janeiro, as part of Operation Espectro. Additionally, the Rio de Janeiro Public Prosecutor's Office executed 72 search and seizure warrants in Búzios against members of rival drug trafficking factions, as part of Operation Maré Alta.