PF arrests 2 suspects of selling leaked data from the president of the STF

Father and son were preventively arrested by the Federal Police (PF) on Thursday (1) as part of Operation I-Fraud, which dismantled a criminal organization that invaded federal systems and leaked data from authorities and public figures. The suspects were found in a residence in Vinhedo (SP), Campinas region, during the execution of search and seizure warrants.

The duo’s arrest was confirmed during a custody hearing at the Federal Court of Campinas, and Minister Luís Roberto Barroso, president of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), is among the authorities whose personal data was sold by the gang on social networks, according to what was found. O G1 and the GloboNews.

According to the PF, the criminal organization hacked federal systems, acquired data and subsequently sold it through social media platforms.

Among the gang’s “clients”, members of criminal factions and members of the security forces, such as police officers, were identified, who received the service free of charge upon requesting to send a photo of their functional license to prove their identity.

“Among the users, it was possible to identify members of criminal factions and even members of the security forces. Regarding the latter, the criminals offered the service free of charge. However, the server needed to send, to prove their identity, a photo of their functional card. In this way, the criminals obtained records, with photos, of thousands of public security employees and also provided this data”, said the PF in a note.

The suspicion is that the scheme generated at least R$10 million between 2010 and 2024. To contain the advance of the criminal group, the PF blocked around R$4 million in the accounts of those involved.

Operation I-Fraud was launched in five states in Brazil, and the arrests occurred after the identification of an invasion of federal systems databases.

Personal data, including those of public figures, was made available on a consultation panel offered on social media platforms. This panel had approximately ten thousand “subscribers” and an average of ten million monthly queries.

Penalties for the crimes of hacking a computer device, laundering assets or valuables and criminal organization can reach 23 years in prison. The investigations continue, and new accusations may arise during the process.