Operation in Piauí targets influencers who profited at least R$ 5 million from illegal bets and raffles.

Influencers Sara Costa dos Santos (Sarah Brenna), João Vitor Almeida Pereira (Vitor Mídia), Lucimayre Magalhães Brito, and Luiz Carlos Morfim Júnior were the main targets of the second phase of Operation Laverna, launched this Friday by authorities in Piauí. According to the state's Public Security Secretariat, they are suspected of involvement in digital crimes related to the promotion of illegal betting platforms and irregular raffles on social media, and moved at least R$ 5 million in these schemes, reveals a report by O Globo.

Agents carried out precautionary measures against the suspects. The court ordered the seizure of passports, the freezing of funds in bank accounts, and the removal of illegal content from their profiles.

Sarah Brenna, Lucimayre Magalhães Brito, and Luiz Carlos allegedly used their social media profiles "intensively" to promote online betting platforms known as "Jogo do Tigrinho," among others.

"The published content included manipulated videos, displays of supposed earnings, raffles, motivational language, and personalized links to attract followers, misleading them and stimulating unrealistic expectations of profit," the investigators stated.

Vitor Mídia, in turn, allegedly focused his activities on promoting illegal raffles, which he presented as charitable actions. He failed to provide proof of the transfer of funds raised and profited directly from the practice, according to the investigation.

"Someone won the prize twice on Vitor Mídia's social media. Statistically, it's almost impossible to do that," emphasized Delegate Matheus Zanatta, Superintendent of Integrated Operations at the department.

O GLOBO is attempting to contact the influencers' defense. In a statement sent to g1, Vitor Mídia's defense stated that the raffles are "entirely in accordance with the law" and are "duly regulated by the competent authorities." It also stated that all winners received their prizes.

In a video on Instagram, Vitor Mídia thanked his followers who believe in his work. He said he was calm, that the officers did not disrespect him, and that the weapon found in his residence was for personal use and registered in his name "for years." The weapon was not seized.

“The police are doing their job. It’s just a lack of information that will all be cleared up. Those who know me know I’m an honest guy. I never wanted anything from anyone. I’m sure this will be cleared up as soon as possible. We are willing to contribute to this,” he emphasized. “No one will be at a loss. If we can’t work for a while, you will be reimbursed.”

According to the Public Security Secretariat of Piauí, the influencers moved sums of money incompatible with any declared formal income. R$ 213.606,60 was identified in the name of Lucimayre Magalhães Brito and another R$ 637.783,14 in the name of Luiz Carlos. Sarah Brenna, in turn, moved R$ 1.311.784,32 and her husband, Antônio Shaul Hinminisses de Araújo Soares, another R$ 1.664.582,01.

In the case of Vitor Mídia, investigators identified a movement of R$ 1.173.117,64, in a "typical pattern of clandestine raffles." This is because the amount was mostly composed of transfers [microcredits] ranging from R$ 0,02 to R$ 20, sent by more than three thousand different people.

“We noticed an increase in assets that doesn't match the listed activities carried out by these people. So, all these targets moved around 5 million from 2023 to 2025. And today we carried out several precautionary measures against these suspects, including searches and seizures, the seizure of 5 cars and 15 motorcycles, as well as cell phones, the freezing of funds in accounts, the seizure of passports, among other precautionary measures related to the crimes,” highlighted Delegate Ayslan Magalhães.

The rapid increase in wealth of Vitor Mídia, a former mechanic, caught the investigator's attention, for example. On Friday morning, he had 160 followers on Instagram alone.

"He experienced a very rapid increase in wealth; he was working in a repair shop in 2022. He bought a house for R$ 500 and opened a motorcycle sales store," he explained.

According to the investigator, this financial information, along with the lack of income declarations and the use of companies associated with digital payments linked to illegal gambling, constitutes evidence of asset concealment, money laundering, tax evasion, and illicit economic gain.

The suspects are being investigated for crimes such as fraud, misleading consumers through false or deceptive statements, unauthorized lottery operations, and money laundering.

According to police chief Ayslan Magalhães, the police are investigating whether the alleged winners of the influencers' raffles received the prizes legally and whether there was any manipulation in the draws.

The operation's name, Laverna, refers to the Roman goddess who symbolizes hidden acts and fraudulent practices, according to investigators, and represents "the dissimulating nature of the activities under investigation."