Edir Macedo, founder of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God and one of Brazil’s most influential religious and media figures, is under investigation in connection with Operation Mirage, a Federal Police probe into alleged accounting and financial fraud involving Banco Digimais.
Brazil’s Federal Police launched Operation Mirage on Tuesday, June 23, to investigate suspected crimes against the national financial system. The case focuses on Banco Digimais, a financial institution linked to Macedo, who is cited by investigators as the bank’s controller.
Although Macedo was not the target of search and seizure warrants because he reportedly lives outside Brazil, his name appears in the investigation due to his alleged role in controlling the institution. The Federal Court in São Paulo authorized the freezing of up to R$670 million in assets and funds belonging to those under investigation.
The probe is still ongoing, and the allegations have not yet been proven in court. Authorities are investigating whether Banco Digimais allegedly used investment funds and accounting mechanisms to hide financial losses and present a healthier financial position to regulators and the market.
Operation Mirage and the Banco Digimais Investigation
According to Brazilian authorities, Operation Mirage investigates suspicions that Banco Digimais manipulated accounting statements and regulatory records to conceal its true financial situation. Investigators believe the alleged scheme may have helped the bank appear solvent before oversight bodies while enabling financial operations considered irregular.
The investigation is reportedly based on reports produced by Brazil’s Central Bank. More than 50 federal agents were mobilized to carry out nine search and seizure warrants issued by the Federal Court in São Paulo.
Among the targets of the operation are executives and figures linked to the administration of Banco Digimais, including Bishop João Urbaneja and other bank officials. Authorities are also looking into the possible use of investment funds to mask losses and inflate the institution’s financial indicators.
Those involved may face accusations related to fraudulent management, false information in accounting records and prohibited credit operations under Brazil’s financial system laws. However, at this stage, the investigation remains preliminary, and the individuals cited are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Who Is Edir Macedo?
Edir Macedo Bezerra was born in 1945 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He became widely known as the founder of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, also known as Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus, one of the largest neo-Pentecostal movements in Brazil.
Macedo founded the church in 1977. Over the following decades, the Universal Church expanded rapidly across Brazil and later into dozens of countries, attracting millions of followers and becoming one of the most powerful evangelical institutions in Latin America.
His religious movement is known for its strong media presence, its emphasis on faith, spiritual deliverance and prosperity theology, and its ability to mobilize large audiences through television, radio, social media and massive religious events.
From Religious Leader to Media and Business Figure
Beyond his religious activities, Edir Macedo built a vast business and media empire. One of the most important parts of this empire is Grupo Record, which includes Record TV, one of Brazil’s major television networks.
Through Record and other communication platforms, Macedo became not only a religious figure but also a powerful media owner. His influence extends across broadcasting, publishing, digital content and other business sectors.
Banco Digimais is another institution linked to his wider business interests. The bank, which has operated in the Brazilian financial market, is now at the center of Operation Mirage.
The investigation has drawn national attention because it combines three sensitive areas in Brazil: religion, media power and the financial system.
A Controversial Public Career
Edir Macedo’s public life has often been marked by controversy, legal disputes and investigations.
In 1992, he was arrested on accusations including fraud, charlatanism and faith healing-related allegations. He was released days later by court order, and the case was later dismissed.
In 2009, prosecutors in São Paulo filed accusations involving alleged money laundering and criminal association connected to members of the Universal Church and companies linked to the group. The case generated wide media coverage and legal developments over the years.
More recently, in 2024, Macedo was convicted in a first-instance ruling by a Federal Court in Rio Grande do Sul and ordered to pay compensation for collective moral damages over statements considered homophobic during a television program aired in 2022. The court understood that the remarks associated homosexuality with criminal behavior, characterizing hate speech. The case may still be subject to appeal, depending on the legal process.
The Temple of Solomon: A Symbol of Power and Expansion
One of the most visible symbols of Edir Macedo’s influence is the Temple of Solomon, inaugurated in São Paulo in 2014. The massive religious complex is considered one of the largest religious buildings in Brazil and has become the headquarters and symbolic center of the Universal Church.
The temple’s inauguration represented a major milestone in Macedo’s religious career. It also reinforced the Universal Church’s ambition to position itself as a global religious movement with strong institutional, cultural and political influence.
Family and Inner Circle
Edir Macedo is married to Ester Bezerra. The couple has three children: Viviane Freitas, Cristiane Cardoso and Moisés Macedo.
Members of Macedo’s family have also been involved in activities connected to the Universal Church and the broader business group. Over the years, the family has played an important role in the religious, publishing and media ecosystem associated with Macedo’s movement.
Why Operation Mirage Matters
Operation Mirage is significant because it raises questions about the financial management of an institution linked to one of Brazil’s most powerful religious leaders.
The Federal Police are investigating whether Banco Digimais allegedly used accounting strategies and investment funds to hide major losses. If confirmed, the suspected practices could have affected regulators, investors and the wider financial system.
The authorized blocking of up to R$670 million shows the scale of the investigation. It also indicates that authorities are treating the case as a serious matter involving potential damage to Brazil’s financial system.
For now, Edir Macedo has not been convicted in relation to Operation Mirage. The investigation continues, and the defense of the parties involved has not yet been publicly located or fully presented. The space remains open for their response.
