Brazilian Federal Police arrest three in operation against Italian citizenship fraud.

The Federal Police launched an operation this Wednesday (27) to investigate a scheme of falsifying documents used to obtain Italian citizenship and legal residence in Europe. Search and seizure warrants were executed at Espírito Santoin Rio de Janeiro and Goiás. The court ordered the retention of passports, the freezing of assets, and a travel ban for those under investigation.

Three suspects have already been arrested. According to investigations, documents from a registry office in Itapemirim (ES) were allegedly used to fabricate non-existent family ties with Italian ancestors.

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The fire may have been arson.

This action is an offshoot of an operation that began in 2021. Following that investigation, evidence emerged suggesting that the fire at the Itapemirim registry office in 2022 was arson, with the aim of destroying evidence. At the time, 90% of the registry office's files were destroyed by the flames.

The consequences for those who used the documents.

Lawyer Estenil Casagrande Pereira, president of the International Law Commission of the 20th Subsection of the OAB/ES (Brazilian Bar Association of Espírito Santo), warns that the impact goes beyond the criminal process. “The consequences can be quite severe in both countries. In addition to the criminal sphere, there are administrative and civil consequences, such as loss of recognized citizenship, cancellation of registrations, and even prohibition of entry into the European Union,” he stated.

Pereira also points out that even descendants with a legitimate right to citizenship can have their recognition revoked. in case they used false documents in the process.

Lawyer Yasmin Espigariol, a specialist in immigration law, emphasizes that cases of fraud have been multiplying. "The use of false documents can lead to a history of immigration fraud, visa refusals, deportation, and even indefinite bans from entering European countries," she said.

The Italian community takes a stand.

Custódio Castellan, president of Casa d'Italia do Espírito SantoHe stated that investigations are necessary. According to him, most registry offices, agents, consultancies, and entities representing descendants operate honestly, and cases of fraud harm the entire community.

The operation spanned three states: Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, and Goiás.