PF targets operator who bought cars with INSS diversions

The Federal Police carried out, this Wednesday (14), two more search and seizure warrants in Presidente Prudente (SP), in a new phase of Operation Sem Desconto, which investigates embezzlement of INSS funds. The targets are linked to the National Confederation of Family Farmers and Rural Entrepreneurs of Brazil (Conafer), one of the entities involved in the scandal of the National Institute of Social Security (INSS). The suspects are believed to be the operators of the scheme and are believed to have used the purchase of vehicles to launder money.

Gazeta do Povo attempted to contact Conafer about the Federal Police warrants, but had not received a response by the time this article was published.

The operation investigates a national scheme of unauthorized associative discounts on retirements and pensions that allegedly occurred between 2019 and 2024. The frauds involve discounts totaling R$6.3 billion.

According to the PF, the warrants were issued by the 10th Federal Court of the Judicial Section of the Federal District. "The objective of this phase is to investigate the actions of a financial operator linked to one of the entities under investigation, suspected of having acquired high-value vehicles with funds from the fraud against retirees," the PF said in a statement.

According to investigations, the National Confederation of Family Farmers and Rural Entrepreneurs of Brazil (Conafer) would have received R$100 million from the General Social Security Regime Fund.

When contacted shortly after the release of Operation Sem Desconto, the Confederation issued a statement saying it trusted the justice system. "Regarding the recent issues involving the presidency of INSS, Conafer is observing the unfolding of the investigation with serenity, trusting in the judicial system. It is important to emphasize that INSS revenue represents only 11% of the entity's total," the statement says.

The Confederation was one of four entities that, despite being cited by the Federal Police, was left out of the asset freezes for fraud at the INSS. In the decision by the Attorney General's Office (AGU), 12 entities and directors had requests for asset freezes worth R$2.5 billion to provide compensation to victims of the fraud.

The discovery of fraud against retirees and pensioners has already led to the resignation of the president of the INSS, Alessandro Stefanutto, and the fall of the then Minister of Social Security, Carlos Lupi (PDT). In his place, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) appointed Wolney Queiroz , who until then was the executive secretary of the department.