In Piauí, Brazil, the second phase of Operation Ghost Card was launched by the Civil Police to combat online purchases made with stolen credit cards. This operation specifically targeted owners of fraudulent card machines, who have been implicated in a network of cybercrime involving unauthorized transactions. As of the latest reports, three individuals were arrested during a raid in Teresina as part of these ongoing investigations.

Delegated by Humberto Mácola, head of the Cyber Crimes Repression Department (DRCC), the operation aims to dismantle a criminal organization that illicitly obtained credit cards in the names of unsuspecting victims without their consent. The arrested individuals allegedly used these stolen card details to operate machines that processed transactions, effectively defrauding the victims. During the initial phase of the operation, police apprehended those responsible for acquiring the stolen cards, and the current phase is focused on the perpetrators running the fraudulent machines.

The investigation has revealed that the criminal organization was not only purchasing goods using the stolen card information but was also potentially laundering money through these operations. This operation underscores the growing concern regarding cybercrime in Brazil, particularly as increases in online shopping create more opportunities for fraud. The outcomes of this operation may lead to stricter regulations and heightened vigilance against such crimes in the future.