After a year, city hall tries to recover 2.1 million lost in scam; case is under secrecy
A year after a scam causing the wrongful transfer of R$ 2.1 million from the Pirassununga city hall, the case remains under judicial secrecy as investigations continue.
The Pirassununga city hall has been embroiled in a serious scandal following a fraudulent email that led to the unauthorized transfer of R$ 2.1 million. This incident, which occurred on February 12, 2025, has been kept under judicial secrecy, hindering the public's access to details about the ongoing investigation. The local government only disclosed the incident after several weeks, revealing that blocked funds belonging to suspects associated with the scam have been identified.
The scam was perpetuated when the city hall received an email that contained fraudulent instructions regarding changes to the bank account information of Le Card, the company responsible for administering the city's meal vouchers. Despite an internal alert about the possibility of a scam, the crucial information was not conveyed to the accounting department, which ultimately proceeded with the payment to the criminals’ account. This oversight highlights potential lapses in communication within the city's departments and raises concerns about safeguarding municipal financial practices.
As the investigation unfolds, it underscores broader implications regarding cybersecurity and the importance of vigilance against such scams, especially in public sectors handling large sums of money. The authorities continue to pursue leads, with the public left in the dark due to the secrecy surrounding the case. The resolution of this incident is critical not only for recovering the lost funds but also for restoring public trust in the city's financial management and security protocols.