The governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite (PSDB), issued a warning on Sunday night (5) against scammers who take advantage of the catastrophic moment the state is experiencing to try to make money.
“In the midst of so much solidarity, there are profiteers who use people’s sensitivity to carry out scams. This is regrettable,” he said.
Without giving details, Leite reported that the coup attempts involve the donation channel SOS Rio Grande do Sul, which uses the PIX key with CNPJ 92.958.800/0001-38.
“When making the donation, it is SOS Rio Grande do Sul that appears as the recipient and the institution is Banrisul (Bank of the State of Rio Grande do Sul)”, he stated. “If this doesn’t appear when donating, it’s because it’s a scam.”
The amounts donated will be used for humanitarian support for flood victims. By Sunday night, R$38.2 million had already been raised.
The governor thanked the donations and informed that the money will not go to the government’s account. “There is a lot of fake news, a lot of people who take advantage of the moment to create confusion”, he warned.
According to him, the money will be administered by a management committee, with the participation of entities that work in the social area.
“This resource will help families, it will help micro and small entrepreneurs who lost their businesses, which were devastated, so that they can get back on their feet.”
Leite also said that government actions, such as works and purchase of equipment, will be carried out with resources from the state budget and support from the federal government.
The SOS Rio Grande do Sul donation channel is the same one used in 2023, when the state also suffered from floods, mainly in cities in the Taquari Valley.
“I want to make everyone who has already donated very calm. This resource will be used in a clear, transparent way, with accountability, with open data for impacted families, for micro and small entrepreneurs”, he added.
This Sunday (5), Rio Grande do Sul reached the mark of 78 deaths due to the heavy rains that hit the region over the last week. It is the worst climate tragedy ever seen in the state, with all basic services affected.
