Rosiane Corrêa da Silva, 49, owner of the events company Casa Gastro, was arrested by the Civil Police on Sunday morning, Nov. 1, in Castanhal, according to the police. She is under investigation for fraud after being accused of taking advance payments from clients who hired her for wedding, graduation and birthday parties. The victims' reported losses already exceed R$118,000.
The arrest followed a complaint from a client who hired Casa Gastro for her daughter's 15th birthday party. The victim said she paid R$21,828 in advance. According to the Civil Police, the suspect required upfront payments and said she needed the money to pay event suppliers such as decoration, buffet and sound providers.
On the eve of the party, however, Rosiane canceled the event, citing reasons of 'force majeure,' according to the account. When the client contacted the suppliers herself, she found that none had been hired or had received any payment from the businesswoman. The money paid by the victim was not returned.
After the case drew attention, six other people went to the police station to report similar situations, police said. Their accounts include sudden cancellations of debutante parties, children's birthday parties, a wedding and a graduation celebration. The police opened separate procedures to investigate each of the newly reported cases.
The Justice also ordered the blocking of bank accounts belonging to the businesswoman and the company. The order includes blocking up to R$21,828 in her and the company's accounts, the amount corresponding to the first victim's loss, to ensure reimbursement, according to the decision.
The suspect was sent to the prison system and remains at the disposal of the Justice, where she will undergo a custody hearing. The Civil Police said investigations continue to identify whether there are other victims.
Sources: G1.