A couple suspected of committing fraud amounting to R$ 140,000 at their workplace restaurant in Mogi das Cruzes has been granted provisional release by the court.
The Brazilian court has granted provisional release to Ellen Luiza Campos Ferreira, 21, and her boyfriend Daniel De Souza André, 22, who were arrested on suspicion of stealing approximately R$ 140,000 from the restaurant where they worked in Vila Partênio, Mogi das Cruzes. They were caught in the act during a police operation on Monday night (23), but subsequent to a custody hearing, they were released on Tuesday (24) under the condition that they comply with precautionary measures while awaiting trial.
Investigations revealed that the couple managed to divert payments made by customers for at least four months. The scheme came to light after a customer noticed something unusual and reported it to the restaurant's owners via social media. The customer discovered that a payment intended for the restaurant appeared under the name of Ellen Ferreira, rather than the business's registered name, raising suspicion and leading to the investigation.
As the case unfolds, legal experts suggest that the couple's provisional release may complicate the investigative process and the restaurant may face potential financial repercussions from the alleged fraud. The case has drawn significant local attention, highlighting issues of employee trust and security within the hospitality sector in Brazil.
