The Order of Attorneys of Brazil – São Paulo Section (OAB-SP) is warning of a rise in “fake lawyer” scams. Criminals are using publicly available information from court websites to impersonate attorneys and solicit fraudulent payments from clients, often via PIX. The OAB-SP is working with the Civil Police to investigate these scams and has launched a public awareness campaign to educate the public. They advise individuals to be cautious about any requests for payment received via WhatsApp or other electronic means and to confirm the legitimacy of any such requests with their attorney through a secure channel.
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03/02/2025 – On Monday evening (03/02), a driver was assaulted by four armed criminals on Rua Doutor Edgar Ferraz Navarro in the Piratininga neighborhood and forced to remain in his vehicle under threat. He was hooded and abandoned in the Chico de Paula neighborhood, while the thieves fled. The car was later found in the Bom Retiro neighborhood, but no suspects were arrested.
09/02/2025 – A 29-year-old man wanted for offenses under the Maria da Penha Law was arrested on Sunday (09/02), by the Municipal Civil Guard at Praça Miguel Couto, in Aparecida. Officers on patrol noticed his suspicious behavior before arresting him. The Maria da Penha Law is designed to protect women from domestic violence in Brazil.
11/02/2025 – On Tuesday (11/02), authorities discovered 882 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a shipment of coffee at the Port of Santos. The drugs were intended to be sent to the Port of Antwerp, Belgium. Authorities identified the substance during a routine inspection and launched an investigation to find those responsible.
12/02/2025 – On Wednesday (12/02), over 9 tons of drugs (9.3 tons of marijuana and 132 kg of skunk), hidden in a corn shipment, were seized by highway police while en route to the Port of Santos. They were intercepted on the Rodovia Castello Branco in Porangaba. The truck driver, whose nervous behavior raised the officers’ suspicions, was arrested.
14/02/2025 – On Friday (14/02), on Avenida Ana Costa, in Gonzaga, a 61-year-old man pulled a knife in an Assai supermarket and threatened an employee. Ignoring police orders and advancing toward an officer, he was shot in the leg.
14/02/2025 – A man was arrested on Friday (14/02) in the Marapé neighborhood, for drug trafficking, vehicle theft, and intrusion. He was found with drugs, a radio, and R$ 182, and identified as responsible for several thefts in the area. His accomplice is on the run.
17/02/2025 – An 81-year-old man was assaulted on Monday (17/02) at Praça Iguatemi Martins, in the Vila Nova neighborhood. Threatened with a knife by another man, he attempted to flee by running onto the road where he was fatally struck by a car.
20/02/2025 – On Thursday (20/02), in Santos, TV host Rodrigo Faro was targeted by a scammer impersonating a lawyer. During a video call, the criminal asked him to open his banking app and share his screen, but no financial losses were reported.
21/02/2025 – Three criminals burglarized three apartments in a residential building on Rua Arabutã, in Aparecida, Santos, on Friday (21). They entered the building unnoticed, forced open doors, and stole various belongings. Security cameras captured their entry and exit, and the police are investigating.
24/02/2025 – Customs authorities intercepted 554 kg of cocaine hidden in a 17-ton shipment of instant coffee at the Port of Santos on Monday (24). The drug was destined for the Port of Antwerp, Belgium. After the discovery, the Federal Police were called in to investigate.
25/02/2025 – A 39-year-old man was apprehended on Tuesday (25), in Gonzaga, after fleeing a stop by the Municipal Civil Guard. During his escape, he threw away a bag containing a loaded .38 caliber revolver before being found and arrested in a bakery in the same area. Identified as a repeat offender, he has multiple prior offenses, including drug trafficking, armed robbery, illegal possession of a firearm, and theft.
TRENDS & ADVICE
- Be cautious when in the vicinity of Embaré, Ponto da Praia, Campo Grande, Rádio Clube, Downtown, and Estuário.
- Never visit neighborhoods on the hills, such as Morro de São Bento, Jabaquara, Saboo, and others.
- Avoid passing near the VLT tunnel, in José Menino, as recently many drug users and homeless people were removed from there and now stay in the streets of the region, especially next to the walls of the Clube dos Ingleses.
- The waterfront has many incidents of thefts and robberies (snatch and run), never display wealth, and avoid walking there during the night.
- During the Summer, risks increase, due to the bigger number of beachgoers.
- Residences in the neighborhoods of Pompeia, Gonzaga, Boqueirão, Embaré, Aparecida, Estuário, and Ponta da Praia are frequently targeted by thieves who look for bikes and items in the common areas.
- Make sure your building is well protected.
- Be cautious at all times, including in areas perceived as safe.
- Avoid any display of wealth (jewelry, mobile phones), but always carry a small amount of money (R$50) to hand over to muggers if attacked.
- In case of robbery:
- cooperate, do not try to run after the assailant as they might be armed or resort to violence.
- In case of kidnapping:
- Cooperate in order to mitigate the risk of violence, and do not lie or provide false information to your kidnappers.
- Bear in mind that the vast majority of kidnappings are financially motivated, and that negotiation may be lengthy.
- Attention to scams that may reach you through a WhatsApp message, e-mail, SMS, or a call.
- Cooperate in order to mitigate the risk of violence, and do not lie or provide false information to your kidnappers.
- Bear in mind that the vast majority of kidnappings are financially motivated, and that negotiation may be lengthy.
