On Tuesday, October 13, the Civil Police of São Paulo launched Operation Disque 151 targeting a criminal organization suspected of perpetrating financial fraud through online betting platforms and task-based earning sites. The operation, led by the State Department of Criminal Investigations (Departamento Estadual de Investigações Criminais – DEIC), resulted in three arrests and the execution of six search and seizure warrants across the state capital and Mogi das Cruzes (SP). According to investigations, the scheme is believed to have impacted approximately 10 million users and potential victims. A court order authorized the freezing of assets and accounts belonging to six individuals and five companies, with total seizures potentially reaching R$ 154 million. The operation originated from consumer complaints filed with Procon-SP, primarily concerning the inability to withdraw deposited funds and the non-payment of winnings.
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How the Scams Worked
Investigators identified two suspicious platforms using distinct tactics to lure victims: FortuneSlots, which offered virtual casino games, and ThinkTV, which promised compensation for completing simple online tasks. While their front-end strategies differed, both operated on a similar underlying mechanism: dangling quick financial gains to encourage successive deposits while systematically blocking the withdrawal of accumulated funds. On FortuneSlots, users were prompted to deposit funds via Pix to participate in games and generate alleged earnings. In some instances, small initial payments were made to create a sense of legitimacy and encourage higher deposits. However, when users attempted to withdraw larger sums, they encountered system errors and demands for additional payments. Meanwhile, ThinkTV promised financial rewards for completing tasks such as watching videos, reviewing content, and liking pages. To participate, users had to register and pay an initial deposit, after which they were pressured into transferring more money to release their accumulated earnings. According to investigators, these funds were ultimately frozen, preventing users from recovering their money.
Financial Transactions and Money Laundering Suspicions
In addition to defrauding individual users, police uncovered a complex financial architecture designed to conceal the origin and destination of the illicit proceeds. Over the course of a two-year investigation, agents tracked R$ 38.5 million in bank transactions, successfully tracing the flow of approximately R$ 14 million. According to DEIC, money deposited by victims was directed into centralized pooling accounts (contas-bolsão) before being funneled into secondary accounts and distributed across a network of individuals and corporate entities. This technique of layering and fragmenting funds was intended to obfuscate the paper trail and hide the true beneficiaries of the scheme. Authorities are continuing their investigations to identify additional victims and syndicate members.
Analysis
This case underscores the convergence of digital fraud, social engineering, and financial structures tied to organized crime. Although marketing distinct concepts, both platforms exploited the same core vulnerability: leveraging the promise of fast returns to entice repeated deposits, followed by artificial barriers to fund withdrawal. The combination of small initial payouts, high yield promises, and mandatory fees to unlock account balances represents a classic red flag for digital financial scams.
The operation highlights the necessity for organizations to incorporate digital fraud awareness into their broader corporate risk management and policy frameworks. Companies should educate employees on the risks associated with platforms requiring upfront fees to release earnings, promote the verification of digital service legitimacy, and establish internal channels for reporting fraud attempts. Additionally, organizations must account for the potential side effects of employee financial distress caused by such schemes, as well as the heightened risks surrounding the misuse of personal and corporate banking credentials.
Sources: Folha de SP; G1; O Globo.
