Brazilians arrested in Paraguay over hacker-diverted funds

Police in Saltos del Guairá, Paraguay, arrested four Brazilian nationals who were allegedly attempting to withdraw over G. 306 million (approximately $42,000 USD) that had been diverted from a local company's accounts by a hacker. The suspects were apprehended in the parking lot of a shopping center as they prepared to collect the funds from two different bank branches.

The cybercriminal reportedly deceived a cashier at the company, identified as CAHPSA, into making two significant payments for supposed purchases. When company officials realized they had been defrauded, they immediately blocked the accounts to prevent the withdrawal of the transferred funds and alerted security forces. Agents from the Canindeyú Investigations Department had been monitoring commercial areas with bank branches since Monday, anticipating the hacker's associates would attempt to retrieve the money.

The arrested individuals, identified as Amanda Campos Mesquinta, Yasmin Avalos De Souza (18), Nilson Francisco De Souza Polis (35), and Adilson Romero Da Silva (28), are all residents of Rondonópolis, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. They were traveling in a white Hyundai sedan, which was seized along with six mobile phones found inside. Authorities believe the phones contain data related to their alleged involvement in the scheme. The suspects are now in the custody of the Prosecutor's Office.