The Brazilian Federal Police (PF) have launched an operation targeting the federal deputy Maria Gorete Pereira from Ceará, who is alleged to be a central figure in a scheme defrauding the National Institute of Social Security (INSS) of significant funds. This operation, which took place on March 17, includes allegations of irregular discounts applied to benefits received by retirees and pensioners, with the scheme reportedly spanning from 2019 to 2024 and estimated to involve misappropriations of up to R$ 6.3 billion. Investigators have documented these claims in a report referenced by Minister André Mendonça in the court's authorization for the police operation.