In Guarapuava, central Paraná, a criminal has been utilizing the photo of police chief Alysson Henrique de Souza in an elaborate scam to extort money from unsuspecting individuals. The perpetrator contacted a person currently involved in a legal process via WhatsApp, demanding a payment of R$ 500, claiming that the individual would be arrested if they failed to comply. Remarkably, the scammer later negotiated the demanded amount down to R$ 300 during their communication.

The situation took a turn when the targeted victim consulted a friend prior to making the payment. The friend advised the victim about the potential for a scam, which led to further investigation. Police chief Alysson Henrique de Souza became aware of the fraudulent activities after being notified by an investigator. He recognized the photo being used as one from a previous interview he had given, highlighting the audacity of the criminal in misusing his identity.

Authorities are currently investigating the case, though the suspect has yet to be identified as of the last report. This incident underscores the challenges that law enforcement faces in combating identity theft and fraud, especially with the increasing sophistication of scams facilitated by digital communication tools like WhatsApp.