In the State of Rio de Janeiro, scammers have been posing as public defenders to con individuals with ongoing legal proceedings, leading to at least 240 reported cases of fraud in the past nine months. The Public Defender's Office has highlighted the alarming trend, indicating that these criminals contact victims directly, often extracting banking information or making unauthorized charges.

One victim, Claudia Cristina do Carmo Carinhanha, had been awaiting the resolution of a legal case since 2016 when she received a message on March 6 claiming to be from a legitimate public defender. The message included her name and case number, falsely promising her a payout of R$ 40,000 contingent on a meeting with the supposed public defender. During this meeting, the scammer discussed the details of her case, further convincing her of his legitimacy.

This case illustrates not only the risks associated with identity fraud but also the implications for individuals who are already vulnerable due to their legal issues. The Public Defender's Office is advising the public to verify communications and report suspicious activity to prevent further victimization in this ongoing scam campaign.