A Brazilian national who created a fictitious federal agency and sold counterfeit Department of Homeland Security and FBI identification cards has been ordered deported, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Mario Cesar Dos Santos Jr., 50, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and fraudulent use of government seals. Authorities said he marketed bogus training certificates as protection from immigration enforcement while also selling merchandise carrying official agency insignia. He remains in removal proceedings and faces sentencing in federal court.
Dos Santos entered the United States in 2016 and later overstayed his visa. He was arrested in February at Orlando International Airport after arriving from Boston, following an investigation involving DHS, the FBI and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
| 1) | The alleged creation of a fictitious federal agency |
| 2) | How the counterfeit immunity cards were marketed |
| 3) | The investigation, arrest and criminal charges |
| 4) | The immigration and sentencing consequences |
| 5) | The broader federal focus on fraud |
The alleged creation of a fictitious federal agency
Authorities said Dos Santos presented himself as the president of the so-called Chaplain Emergency Management Agency, or CEMA. The organization was not a real federal agency, but it was promoted as though it had official authority. Investigators said its website, social media accounts and group chat advertised training seminars and displayed an altered DHS seal.
The group chat had more than 750 members when the investigation began in August 2025. CEMA also falsely claimed accreditation from the International Association for Continuing Education and the American Council on Education, according to prosecutors. Those representations were used to make the organization appear legitimate to prospective participants.
How the counterfeit immunity cards were marketed
The seminars were advertised as training courses, which authorities said were offered without a fee. Participants were then charged between $400 and $450 for certificates they believed could protect them from deportation or other immigration action. Each seminar reportedly attracted about 30 to 45 people.
Prosecutors said the certificates carried unauthorized DHS and FBI seals and were described as providing immunity from federal immigration officers. The operation generated approximately $14,000 from the certificates. Dos Santos also sold clothing, badges, stickers and other items bearing seals associated with DHS and FEMA, the agency responsible for coordinating federal responses to disasters.
The investigation, arrest and criminal charges
The investigation involved DHS, the FBI and FEMA. A confidential informant purchased several items at a training seminar last year, providing investigators with evidence about the merchandise and the organization’s activities. The inquiry ultimately led to Dos Santos’s arrest in Florida.
Dos Santos was arrested in February at Orlando International Airport after arriving on a flight from Boston. Federal prosecutors charged him with wire fraud and fraudulent use of government seals. He later pleaded guilty to both offenses, resolving the criminal allegations while leaving the immigration case pending.
The immigration and sentencing consequences
DHS said Dos Santos entered the United States in 2016 and overstayed his visa. The agency has ordered him deported, and he is currently in removal proceedings. The immigration case is separate from the federal criminal prosecution, although the conviction may affect the outcome and timing of his removal.
Dos Santos faces up to 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on December 18. The maximum penalty is not necessarily the sentence the court will impose. The final punishment will be determined by the federal court after considering the guilty plea and applicable sentencing factors.
The broader federal focus on fraud
The case comes as the administration has emphasized investigations involving fraud, government waste and abuse. The Task Force to Eliminate Fraud is led by Vice President JD Vance, according to the report. Federal officials have described the effort as part of a broader campaign to protect government programs and prevent the misuse of official identities and seals.
DHS reported that FEMA investigated more than 2,000 fraud cases during fiscal year 2025. The Dos Santos prosecution illustrates one form of alleged misconduct involving counterfeit credentials, false claims of government authority and payments from people seeking immigration-related protection.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dos Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and fraudulent use of government seals. |
| 2 | He allegedly sold certificates for $400 to $450 while claiming they could provide immigration immunity. |
| 3 | The fictitious CEMA organization used unauthorized DHS, FBI and FEMA-related branding. |
| 4 | He faces removal proceedings and up to 20 years in federal prison. |
Summary
The case combines alleged identity fraud, unauthorized use of government seals and immigration-related deception. Dos Santos admitted operating a sham organization that sold documents and merchandise presented as official. His guilty plea may lead to a federal prison sentence, while DHS continues the separate process to remove him from the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mario Cesar Dos Santos Jr.?
Mario Cesar Dos Santos Jr. is a 50-year-old Brazilian national who entered the United States in 2016, overstayed his visa and pleaded guilty to federal fraud-related charges.
What did the certificates allegedly claim to provide?
Authorities said the certificates were marketed as protection or immunity from federal immigration officers, although they had no such legal effect.
What penalties does Dos Santos face?
DHS has ordered him deported and he is in removal proceedings. He also faces up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing on December 18.
