The Federal Police arrested 19 people and carried out dozens of raids across seven states to tackle a gang of hackers accused of carrying out the most devastating cyberattack against Brazil’s financial system to date. Authorities say the suspects stole more than BRL 813 million (USD 151 million) from the reserve accounts of multiple banks and fintechs connected to Pix, Brazil’s instant payment system.
Six suspects were arrested in Spain, and another in Argentina — with the help of Interpol and European law enforcement agencies. The Federal Prosecution Office charged the suspects with criminal conspiracy, computer system invasion, money laundering and electronic fraud. Authorities also froze up to BRL 640 million in assets — including cryptocurrencies, jewelry, cars and firearms.
According to investigators, the cyberattack was launched on June 30 from a room at the Royal Tulip — one of Brasília’s most exclusive hotels, which happens to be the closest building to the Alvorada Palace, the presidential residence.
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