In Acre, Brazil, a new scam has emerged where criminals impersonate public defenders to swindle residents. The scheme involves contacting individuals through WhatsApp, where these fraudsters charge for legal services that are normally provided for free by the government. This scheme was uncovered by the State Public Defender's Office (DPE-AC) after several residents reported being approached by the impostors. The DPE-AC has confirmed that it is taking steps to address the situation, having alerted the Secretary of Justice and Public Security (Sejusp) about the impersonation. The office has issued warnings for the community to be cautious when receiving communications that ask for personal banking information, particularly via mobile platforms. According to Roberta de Paula Caminha Melo, the General Overseer of DPE-AC, the criminal group's method of operation typically includes an initial contact during which they request upfront payments and personal details from their victims. The ongoing threat of this scam raises significant concerns for the safety and trust of legal services in the community, necessitating increased public awareness and vigilance.