Century-Old Lottery Ticket Scam Targets Elderly in São Paulo

The fraud follows a century-old pattern that exploits human trust and the desire for easy wealth. Criminals carefully select their targets, typically choosing locations near banking centers with high concentrations of financial institutions. They present themselves as well-dressed, respectable individuals to establish immediate credibility.

The scheme involves a theatrical performance with at least two actors. The first perpetrator claims to possess a winning lottery ticket but explains they cannot claim the prize due to religious or ethical convictions. A second person, appearing to be a complete stranger, approaches the pair and expresses skepticism about the ticket's validity.

This second actor then performs a critical role: they 'verify' the ticket numbers against published results, confirming the prize's authenticity to the victim. A police official explained the methodology: "They choose the victim well, normally near places where there are banks, a high number of banks, and they are very well-dressed people. One says he is religious, that he cannot receive prizes for ethical and religious reasons, but that he has the winning ticket there. Then another who is nearby says, 'No, I don't believe it, is that really true?' And even checks the sources to see if the numbers match those that were drawn."

The psychological manipulation intensifies as the criminals create a false sense of urgency and opportunity. Victims are presented with a limited-time chance to participate in splitting a massive prize, requiring them to provide immediate cash as a 'processing fee' or 'good faith deposit.' The ticket itself is usually an envelope containing shredded paper, which victims never examine closely due to the pressure of the moment.

Security cameras in São Paulo captured one of the most brazen attacks when brothers Luiz Cláudio dos Santos and Paulo Cézar dos Santos targeted an 88-year-old man. Paulo approached the elderly victim claiming he held a winning lottery ticket but refused to accept money directly due to his religious beliefs. Luiz Cláudio then appeared, pretending not to know his brother, and offered to help resolve the situation.

The brothers staged a fake phone call to a supposed manager at Caixa Econômica Federal, who 'confirmed' the prize's existence. This performance convinced the elderly victim to hand over R$ 70,000 in exchange for the fraudulent ticket. The victim later described the experience: "It seems they hypnotized me. I did everything they told me to do."

Another case involved a victim who took out a R$ 100,000 loan after being approached by two women on the street. One woman played the role of the lottery winner who threatened to tear up the ticket if the deal wasn't completed immediately. The victim initially suspected fraud but was convinced after meeting a supposed 'psychologist' who explained how to participate in splitting a R$ 13 million prize.

The most catastrophic case occurred in São José dos Campos, where an elderly woman lost R$ 3.25 million through 14 separate deposits over the course of one month. She exhausted her life savings and committed to bank loans before realizing she had been scammed.

Psychologists who have studied these cases explain that the criminals systematically "undermine the resistance capacity" of their victims through persistent persuasion and intense emotional pressure. The elderly are particularly vulnerable targets because they often have substantial savings and may be more trusting of well-dressed, polite strangers.

The psychological aftermath extends far beyond financial loss. Victims experience profound shame and embarrassment, which becomes the most significant psychological effect of the fraud. This emotional burden frequently prevents people from reporting the crime to authorities, allowing criminals to continue operating with impunity.

The Polícia Civil has identified a specialized criminal family that has operated this scam since at least 2009, based on investigation records. While Luiz Cláudio dos Santos and Paulo Cézar dos Santos remain incarcerated, Viviany Araújo Estaninslau, Paulo's wife, remains a fugitive with an active arrest warrant.

Official statistics from the Deic (Department of Homicide and Personal Protection) recorded 382 cases in São Paulo through December 2025. Investigators believe the actual number is significantly higher because many victims suffer in silence due to fear and embarrassment.

Financial institutions and authorities have issued clear warnings about this fraud. Caixa Econômica Federal explicitly states that they never verify winning tickets through telephone or internet communications. All legitimate prize validations must be conducted in person at their agency branches.

The Febraban (Brazilian Federation of Banks) provides specific guidance for citizens: never deliver money to strangers under any circumstances, and always file official police reports when encountering fraud attempts. This documentation helps authorities track criminal patterns and potentially recover stolen funds.

The persistence of this century-old scam demonstrates how traditional fraud methods remain effective when combined with modern psychological manipulation techniques. Criminals exploit the universal desire for financial security while targeting society's most vulnerable members.

Law enforcement continues to investigate these cases while emphasizing that public awareness remains the most effective defense against this type of fraud. The emotional and financial devastation inflicted on victims serves as a stark reminder that promises of easy money from strangers almost always conceal criminal intent.