Brazilian Chamber of Deputies Approves Tougher Laws Against Lawyer Impersonation Fraud
Brazil's Chamber of Deputies has passed a law imposing harsher penalties and preventive measures against fraud by those impersonating lawyers, including a new national registry and immediate financial blocking powers.
- • Chamber of Deputies approved a law criminalizing lawyer impersonation with penalties of 4-8 years in prison.
- • Penalties increase for multiple victims, cross-state crimes, or if the perpetrator is an actual lawyer.
- • Immediate blocking of funds and preservation of access records included as preventive measures.
- • Creation of a National Register of Electronic Fraud Convicts to help prevent future crimes.
Key details
On March 17, 2026, Brazil's Chamber of Deputies approved a new law designed to combat fraud involving individuals impersonating lawyers or other key justice system professionals. The legislation, authored by Deputy Gilson Marques (Novo-SC) and reported by Sergio Santos Rodrigues (Pode-MG), establishes impersonation of legal professionals using illegally obtained judicial data as a distinct criminal offense under Brazil's Penal Code.
Penalties for this crime range from 4 to 8 years in prison plus fines. These sentences can increase by one-third to double when multiple victims are involved, the crime crosses state lines, or if the impersonator is a lawyer abusing their credentials, in which case the term rises by two-thirds. Additional aggravating factors include causing serious procedural harm or unauthorized release of judicially deposited funds.
The law also criminalizes misuse of judicial access credentials, with penalties from 2 to 6 years’ imprisonment and possible increases based on conditions. A significant feature allows for immediate blocking of financial accounts linked to suspected fraud and mandates that internet providers and financial institutions preserve records of access for investigation. Furthermore, civil actions can be initiated by legal institutions to remove fraudulent online profiles and sensitive data at judges’ discretion.
An innovative preventive measure involves creating a National Register of Convicts for Electronic Fraud to help prevent repeat offenses. This registry is strictly regulated concerning data usage. Despite the law’s goal to enhance public security and deter fraudulent practices, opposition lawmakers raised concerns about potential overreach, particularly regarding provisions allowing suspension of social media accounts without due process. The bill's reporter stated any suspension would require prior judicial review, aiming to safeguard freedom of expression.
This new legislation reflects Brazil’s commitment to strengthening the justice system’s integrity and protecting citizens from sophisticated legal fraud schemes, providing stronger tools for prosecution and prevention.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
