In Acre, Brazil, there has been a rising trend of scams where criminals impersonate lawyers from the Tribunal de Justiça do Acre (TJ-AC) via WhatsApp to perpetrate fraud on unsuspecting citizens. One such case involved a con artist who contacted a woman, claiming to work in the department responsible for seized properties, and offered access to governmental auctions while demanding an upfront payment of R$ 15,000 for her desired property.

The TJ-AC has publicly warned citizens about these scams, clarifying that the individual in question has no connection with the institution and urging victims to report similar cases. The fraudster had presented himself as a criminal lawyer and claimed to operate in the bidding sector of TJ-AC, thereby assuring victims of the legitimacy of his claims. The importance of reporting such incidents either to the court's ombudsman or to local authorities is stressed, since the court does not use financial tools like PIX or payment slips for transactions.

This type of fraud not only highlights the vulnerabilities within the public's awareness about legal transactions but also underscores the necessity for institutions like the TJ-AC to increase their communication and preventative measures to protect citizens. With increasing reports, it is crucial that residents remain vigilant and informed about these deceptive practices to avoid falling victim to such scams.