I bet when you were a kid you were pranked, right? The person on the other end of the line might have thought it was bad, but you had a great time. Know that this child's play now has limits and can cost you a fine of up to R$ 4 thousand.
This happened because, according to data from the Public Security forces, around 30 false calls are made to the emergency services every day. On the list are 190 and the Fire Department, for example.
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To prevent this from happening, the government decided to touch a very sensitive part of the Brazilian body: the pocket. Through Decree nº 44.427/2023, published in the Official Gazette of the Federal District, regulates Law 6.418/2019, which establishes a fine for hazing in emergency services.
What if I don't pay this fine?
Like any other fine, the Civil police will be triggered as soon as you are fined. It will be up to the agency to request your telephone data – even when it is done from a public telephone.
Once the citizen is identified, he has up to 30 days to pay it – or file an appeal. If payment is not made, the person enters the government's Active Debt.
What is configured as a prank or prank call?
According to this decree, any undue connection or activation made in bad faith can be considered a prank call. Except when it's justifiable (for example, your three-year-old son took your cell phone by mistake or you left the device unlocked in your pocket and he ended up dialing 911).
If it is really identified as a prank, your prank will cost, at least, an amount of the current minimum wage. Today, it is an amount of R$ 1,302. However, if the prank call is to police or emergency services firemen, can reach R$ 4 thousand.
Think better before playing a prank like this - and instruct your children, nephews and godchildren about it.
Graduated in Social Communication at the Federal University of Goiás. Passionate about digital media, pop culture, technology, politics and psychoanalysis.