Recently, an investigation conducted by the Federal Police and the Social Security Task Force brought to light a criminal scheme that directly affects the National Social Security Institute (INSS). The police action took place at the end of July, but the issue continues to have strong repercussions even today.
The scheme involves the creation of fake accounts at Caixa Econômica Federal to divert social security benefits intended for legitimate beneficiaries. This discovery highlights a growing problem with the security and integrity of benefit payment systems, underscoring the importance of robust measures to prevent fraud and protect resources intended for the population.
Fraudulent Scheme Mechanism
The scheme uncovered by the investigation involved the creation of fake accounts at Caixa Econômica Federal, using falsified documents. Between 2019 and 2022, the criminals pretended to be INSS beneficiaries, opening bank accounts to receive and divert social security benefit payments. The fraud also included the granting of loans with payroll deductions, taking advantage of the consignable margin of the diverted benefits. These fraudulent ventures resulted in significant diversion of funds intended for the true beneficiaries, causing a substantial negative financial impact.
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Consequences for Beneficiaries and Institutional Reaction
The real INSS beneficiaries discovered the problem when they realized that their payments were not being deposited into their accounts. The fraud was discovered when they contacted the INSS to resolve the problem. It turned out that the funds had been transferred to fake accounts. Approximately 49 social security benefits were affected by the fraud, resulting in significant losses for the individuals involved. The Social Security Task Force, which has been operating for 22 years, plays a crucial role in the fight against crimes against the social security system, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Security, the Federal Police and the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office to combat fraud and protect social security funds.
Government Motivations and Responses
The operation takes place in a context of growing concern about the increase in spending on INSS benefits. Recent data from the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance reveal a significant increase in the number of beneficiaries of the Continuous Benefit Payment (BPC/Loas) in the last two years. Between January 2019 and May 2022, the number of beneficiaries grew by more than 1.1 million, leading the government to adopt measures to control spending.
In response, the government blocked R$15 billion from this year's budget, with a significant portion earmarked for pensions and BPC/LOAS. Finance Minister Fernando Haddad announced that he will implement a fine-tooth comb on benefits to control spending and meet fiscal targets, reflecting the urgent need for measures to control and prevent fraud in the social security system.
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