In a surprising twist in a criminal operation, four women, including the owner of a beauty salon, were arrested in Cuiabá and the Federal District, suspected of orchestrating a scam known as the 'fake intermediary' scheme. This scam involved the fraudulent advertisement of luxury cars that did not belong to the accused, luring victims into believing they were purchasing real vehicles. The investigation was triggered when a victim lost over R$ 76,000 in an online transaction for a car that was never truly for sale by the alleged scam group.

The police have stated that the suspect allegedly misled the victim with false identities and manipulated the negotiation to funnel payments directly into the account of a group member. This type of scam is increasingly common in online buying and selling platforms, where criminals impersonate legitimate intermediaries. The case raises questions about the safety of online transactions and highlights the need for increased vigilance from both buyers and platforms in protecting against such fraudulent activities.

As the investigation unfolds, the police are delving deeper into the operations of this group to assess possible connections to broader criminal activities and additional victims who may have fallen prey to similar scams. The case serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities present in digital marketplaces and the ongoing challenge for law enforcement to combat cybercrime effectively.