Billion-Dollar INSS Fraud: Lula Leads Meeting to Compensate Retirees
Quick Overview: President Lula led a meeting to address the compensation of retirees and pensioners affected by unauthorized deductions from their INSS benefits, stemming from a billion-dollar fraud involving associative entities.
© Renato Menezes/AscomAGU
Billion-Dollar INSS Fraud: Lula Leads Meeting to Compensate Retirees
President Lula led a meeting to address the compensation of retirees and pensioners affected by unauthorized deductions from their INSS benefits, stemming from a billion-dollar fraud involving associative entities.
🔍 Fraud Context
An investigation revealed that between 2019 and 2024, approximately R$ 6.3 billion were improperly deducted from INSS retirement and pension benefits. These amounts were directed to associative entities without the beneficiaries' consent. The scheme was facilitated by a data breach that exposed information of about 40 million policyholders, allowing associations and brokers to make unauthorized deductions.
🏛️ Presidential Meeting
On May 6, 2025, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva led a meeting in Brasília with ministers and government representatives to discuss compensation measures for the victims of the fraud. The government is considering creating a specific channel for retirees and pensioners to request reimbursement of the improperly deducted amounts.
📊 Impact and Measures
Number of Victims: It is estimated that about 5.4 million people were affected by the fraud.
Entities Involved: At least 11 entities are formally under investigation, with suspicions about 20 others.
Measures Taken: The government plans to implement a direct compensation system for affected beneficiaries and strengthen INSS data security to prevent future frauds.