They dismantle in Brazil a network that used Venezuelan elders to divert subsidies

The Brazilian Federal Police dismantled on Thursday a network that used Venezuelan citizens to divert funds from a subsidy destined to serve the elderly, official sources reported.

The Network recruited Venezuelan older adults, carried them to Brazil and falsified documents and records to be beneficiaries of a aid, called the continuous benefit benefit (BPC), which is granted to people over 65 who have no right to pension, or persons with disabilities of any age.

Then, several of those Venezuelans returned to their country, but continued to receive the subsidy irregularly, according to a statement from the Federal Police.

During the operation, the agents fulfilled 14 search warrants against eight investigated, among which seven law firms in the border state of Roraima, where the majority of Venezuelans enter Brazil.

Among those investigated is also a retired commissioner from the Civil Police, «suspected of guaranteeing hundreds of irregular benefits.»

Justice ordered the freezing of goods and values ​​of the investigated, for around 16 million reais (2.8 million dollars), and applied precautionary measures, such as the suspension of economic activities.

This is the sixth operation of the Federal Police in Roraima to combat fraud in the granting of this aid.

Those investigated may be charged with aggravated Estelionato, a crime association and other crimes that arise in the course of the investigation.

EFE