Prayer scam call center using AI-generated prayers busted in Rio de Janeiro
Police in Rio de Janeiro arrested 35 people operating a call center that used AI to generate false prayers sold to victims for an average of R$ 50 each, reportedly collecting R$ 3 million annually. The operation was dismantled following intelligence work by civil police in Nilópolis.
What happened
The Polícia Civil do Rio de Janeiro arrested 35 people on 8 October 2025, including a pastor, who operated a call center in Nilópolis, Baixada Fluminense, offering false prayers generated by artificial intelligence in exchange for money.
The operation functioned as a formal business with employees assigned call quotas and revenue targets. Attendants followed a scripted approach and offered prayers in exchange for payments averaging R$ 50, typically made by PIX or bank transfer to the pastor's wife. After payment, employees used AI to generate prayers adapted to victims' reported needs.
Reported impact
The scheme was estimated to have collected at least R$ 3 million annually from victims seeking religious intervention.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.