Operation Platinum Targets Smuggling Ring That Sold Electronics on Shopee and Mercado Livre
- Apr 10
- 2 min read
On Wednesday (8), the Federal Revenue and the Federal Police launched Operation Platinum, which targets a criminal organization suspected of smuggling and embezzlement of goods sold on e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Mercado Livre, and Magazine Luiza.
In total, 32 search and seizure warrants and 21 preventive arrest warrants were executed in the states of Paraná, Goiás, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Pernambuco. The court orders were issued by the 1st Federal Court of Guaíra (PR).
In addition to the judicial measures, teams also conducted administrative inspections, which resulted in the seizure of goods of illicit origin at companies located in Goiás, in a joint operation between the Federal Revenue and the Federal Police.
According to the investigations, the criminal group had a complex logistical and financial structure, consisting of approximately 400 companies registered in the names of “front men,” used to give the appearance of legality to their illegal activities.
The investigations began in August 2022, following the seizure of goods being transported illegally in three vehicles traveling in a convoy. Following this incident, investigators determined that the products—brought in illegally from Paraguay—were resold by members of the organization themselves through e-commerce platforms.
Between 2020 and 2024, on the Mercado Livre platform alone, the group is said to have generated more than R$ 300 million in sales. In total, the organization is estimated to have generated approximately R$ 1 billion, taking into account the sale of illegal goods and money-laundering operations.
Among the smuggled products were Xiaomi, Apple, and Samsung cell phones, hard drives, robot vacuum cleaners, Starlink internet equipment, portable air conditioners, perfumes, and printer ink.
According to the Federal Police, the criminal organization had an interstate and transnational structure, consisting of hundreds of companies—most of them front companies—and more than 40 individuals directly involved in the scheme.
The members operated on different fronts. One group was responsible for transportation logistics, including drivers, scouts, and lookouts. Another handled purchases in Paraguay, obtaining quotes and making payments. A third group managed sales on online marketplaces and distributed the profits among the participants.
The investigations also identified companies known as “noteiras,” created exclusively to issue fake invoices, which were used to give smuggled goods the appearance of legality.
In addition, more than ten people were identified as “front men,” used to open bank accounts, register companies, and move funds.
According to the investigation, some members of the group operated on social media as experts in e-commerce, importing, and sales management, offering courses and mentoring, which helped give the illegal operations a legitimate appearance.
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