Federal Police investigate fraud involving the owner of a lottery shop that was shut down by Caixa Econômica Federal.

Waltecir Cardoso Pereira, a tenured employee of the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), is the target of a Federal Police investigation for alleged fraud. The investigation is looking into the sale of the São Bento Lottery agency in Sidrolândia, 71 kilometers from Campo Grande, after the establishment was blocked by Caixa Econômica Federal (a Brazilian bank). Two residents of Dourados paid R$ 285 for the lottery agency in March 2025, unaware that the system had been suspended 14 days earlier.

The purchase and sale agreement was signed on March 7, 2025. The buyers paid R$ 285 of the total agreed-upon R$ 520. After the transaction, they discovered that Caixa had blocked the lottery system on February 21, 2025, according to information released by Campo Grande News.

Erickson Benites Lima, one of the buyers, traveled to Sidrolândia to take over the business. He found the establishment inoperative. “He offered me the lottery agency claiming he needed to step down to take a full-time public service position in Mato Grosso. Since he was already an employee of UFGD, he gave me enormous credibility. Trusting that, I took on a debt of R$ 520 and paid almost R$ 300 just as a down payment,” he stated.

Waltecir allegedly lied to the buyers after the sale. He claimed he contacted the bank to resolve the problem. He said he was awaiting a solution with the support of "important politicians" from Mato Grosso do Sul.

“He kept giving me vague excuses, saying he didn’t know why. I started investigating on my own, pressured former employees, analyzed emails and documents, and discovered that the lottery outlet was already in the process of being shut down by Caixa itself due to fraud. Waltecir used the system to register fictitious deposits and pay phantom bills, diverting the money to his personal accounts. All documented by Caixa Econômica itself,” stated Erickson.

The scheme began in October 2024.

The complaint filed with the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office and the Federal Police indicates that the irregularities began in October 2024. That month, Waltecir withdrew R$ 150 from the lottery agency's cash register. The money was allegedly intended to be used to acquire a stake in another establishment in the same sector.

The accumulated losses would have reached R$ 351 by the time the São Bento Lottery closed. To conceal the embezzlement, Waltecir allegedly recruited "front men." These people lent their accounts at digital banks to issue "phantom payment slips." They received commissions ranging from R$ 70 to R$ 200. The complaint indicates that students from UFGD were among the participants in the scheme.

Erickson claims that Waltecir knew the lottery shop was doomed. He sold it to settle the debt with Caixa Econômica Federal (a Brazilian bank). “If I didn’t pay, they were going to call the Federal Police, the manager himself confirmed this. He induced me to take on a debt of half a million reais to save his own skin. He sold me something he himself destroyed,” he said.

Caixa issued "Notices of Irregularity" in February 2025. The documents informed of the suspension of the lottery agency's services. The complaint points out that Waltecir was formally notified by the bank. He was aware of the content of the notices. Even so, he proceeded with the sale of the establishment. He omitted the true situation from the buyers.

Buyers seek to recoup losses.

The buyers filed an enforcement action in the civil court of Dourados. They are trying to recover the amount paid to Waltecir Cardoso Pereira. The defense requested an asset freeze. So far, there has been no progress in the process.

When he sought help from Caixa Econômica Federal, Erickson reports that he was treated with indifference. "They said I was 'nobody' to them, that they could only deal with him. And he took advantage of that," he stated.

Federal Police take over investigation.

Initially, the Federal Police issued a report concluding that there was "no direct offense to federal assets, services, or interests." They considered the case to be fraud between private individuals.

A more thorough analysis of the facts changed the understanding. The investigation identified improper authentications and the creation of a fictitious cash register to cover up embezzlement. These elements pointed to evidence of direct damage to the operation and systems of Caixa Econômica Federal within the scope of the lottery concession. The Federal Police opened an inquiry to investigate the practice of fraud directly against Caixa. The procedure is confidential.

The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office requested the opening of a police investigation last year. The objective is to investigate a fraud crime against Caixa Econômica Federal (a Brazilian bank).

Positioning of institutions

In a statement released by its press office, Caixa informed that the operation of lottery outlets is based on a permit system obtained through bidding. This system is governed by Caixa Circular No. 1.084/2025 and Laws No. 8.987/95 and No. 12.869/13. "Lotérica São Bento Ltda., in Sidrolândia (MS), was closed due to provisions contained in the aforementioned Circular," the public bank stated.

UFGD released an official statement on its website. The institution received feedback related to the case through its official communication channels. "After a preliminary analysis, it was found that the reported facts initially pertain to a private matter and are not related to the exercise of professional activities or institutional relations within the University."

The university has forwarded the case to the institution's Sectoral Ethics Committee for analysis. The committee will conduct an analysis within the scope of its responsibilities. "The University further clarifies that any new elements or evidence establishing a link to the exercise of professional activities or the institutional environment may lead to a reassessment of the situation and the adoption of appropriate administrative measures."

Waltecir Cardoso Pereira's defense lawyer promised to submit a statement regarding the allegations by Friday (27). The deadline was not met. The space for comment remains open.