A 48-year-old businessman, residing in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, fell victim to a scam known as the false bank manager scheme, resulting in a loss of R$ 10,000. The incident unfolded when he received a WhatsApp call from an individual posing as a bank manager, who claimed that the man's bank account had been compromised by an intruder from Rio de Janeiro. Fearing for his financial security, the businessman followed the instructions of the fraudster and made a payment using a fictitious barcode sent by the scammer via WhatsApp.

Upon completing the transaction, the businessman quickly realized that he had been duped into sending money to the scammer's account. Realizing the urgency of the situation, he immediately reported the incident to the Central de Flagrantes of the Civil Police in Rio Preto, filing a formal complaint of fraud. This case emphasizes the growing threat of online scams, particularly those that exploit the trust of individuals through fake identities.

The approach employed by the scammer in this case underscores the need for increased public awareness about such fraudulent activities, as many people may unwittingly fall prey to similar schemes. As more individuals rely on online banking and communication platforms, ensuring cybersecurity measures and familiarizing oneself with the signs of scams become critical. Local authorities may also need to enhance their efforts in educating citizens and preventing such fraudulent activities in the future, as they pose substantial risks to financial security in the community.