Police seized luxury cars, motorcycles and quadricycles. Around 8 a.m., four suspects were arrested in flagrante delicto.
— When we examined the cell phones, we found that they were operating illicit games — explained delegate Luiz Lima, head of the DRCI, in an interview with Bom Dia Rio, on TV Globo, adding that the group had already moved millions of reais.
One of the targets of the operation, called Zero Grau, is a man who, in January this year, crossed the Rio-Niterói bridge in a damaged boat. The images were posted by the driver himself on social media – he referred to the vehicle as a jet bike.
The investigations began with videos that began circulating on social media showing the suspects carrying out seizures and other extremely risky behavior on busy roads. According to the police, influencers use these maneuvers to promote themselves and make profits. in addition to gaining notoriety on the internet.
The investigation indicates that a group of content creators formed an organized network of digital profiles that promote illegal trafficking practices and related crimes, such as tampering with vehicle identification signs, receiving and condoning crime. The investigation also identified a coordinated pattern of action, with synchronized posts, use of identical hashtags and joint appearances. The group is also suspected of advertising and participating in clandestine events during which motorcycles and high-value vehicles are displayed.
At this stage of the operation, the teams intend to interrupt the continuity of crimes and prevent the promotion of criminal practices as a form of digital entertainment. Additionally, officers search phones and other electronic devices to obtain new evidence to identify other people involved and locate vehicles and property used in the crimes.
The influencers are being investigated for endangering the security of means of transport, altering vehicle identification signs, inciting crime and criminal conspiracy.
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