Brasília, 9 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The Ministry of Social Security has removed 13 employees of its social security institute (INSS) in Rio de Janeiro who are suspected of committing fraud. Six of them were caught red-handed as they inserted false data into the institute's computer database with the objective of receiving fraudulent benefits.

According to the minister of Social Security, Jose Cechin, an investigative task force set up at the beginning of the year has so far uncovered cases of fraud involving 113 people, 40 of them tried and found guilty. Another 2,300 retirees have been suspended from Social Security rolls allowing the institute to economize R$80 million (US$27.8 million). Just this year, the institute has fired 50 employees. "We are examining our system, locating weak points so we can avoid more fraud," said the minister. "This is a permanent job." (AB)