Lottery businessman arrested in Paraíba in gambling and money laundering probe

Cícero Fabiano Melo Silva, a businessman from Paraíba linked to the lottery sector, was arrested in João Pessoa on Tuesday (18/8) in an operation led by the Civil Police of Mato Grosso do Sul. For PSPs and acquirers, the relevant part is not the celebrity angle: the case centers on alleged illegal bingo, other gambling activity, criminal association, and money laundering.

1. The arrest was carried out alongside five search-and-seizure warrants at addresses in João Pessoa and Campina Grande. Police said they seized computers, mobile phones, and documents to analyze the financial flows connected to the activities under investigation.
2. According to the investigation, the conduct originated in Mato Grosso do Sul, where the case is being handled by the Civil Police. João Ricardo, a delegate from the Cybercrime Unit in Paraíba, said the probe is being conducted entirely by Mato Grosso do Sul police and remains under seal.
3. Cícero Fabiano was located and detained in a hotel in the Manaíra neighborhood. The search warrants were executed at three addresses in João Pessoa — Bessa, Aeroclube, and Altiplano — and at one property in Campina Grande.
4. The defense said Paraíba Premiado, the company linked to Cícero Fabiano, has no connection with the facts under investigation. The lawyers also said they had not had access to the material used to request the preventive arrest.
5. After the arrest, Cícero Fabiano was taken to the Central Police Station in João Pessoa, where he underwent a forensic medical exam and remains at the disposal of the courts. The Court of Paraíba kept the preventive arrest in place during the custody hearing on Tuesday (18).

In Mato Grosso do Sul, the same operation also led to the arrest of influencer Eduardo Rezende da Silva Razuk, known as Eduardo Razuk, and his brother Rafael Rezende da Silva Razuk. More than 20 luxury vehicles were seized; according to Campo Grande News, their value exceeds R$ 20 million.