Brazilian Football Star Ronaldinho Faces Detention in Crypto Fraud Probe
Summary:
Brazilian soccer star Ronaldinho Gaúcho may face detention as authorities investigate him over crypto fraud allegations. He failed to testify before Congress and could be compelled to appear. The investigation centers on his company '18kRonaldinho' and its alleged involvement in a pyramid scheme. Ronaldinho claims to be a victim of the scam, arguing that his name was unlawfully used. He also has a cryptocurrency NFT collection. He previously faced legal trouble for using fake passports.
Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho Gaúcho could potentially face detention as authorities seek his testimony in relation to a cryptocurrency fraud investigation in Brazil. Local media reports indicate that Ronaldinho did not appear before the country's Congress to address allegations of involvement in a pyramid scheme through one of his companies. Despite being issued a subpoena, the former Paris Saint-Germain, F.C Barcelona, and AC Milan star failed to attend a congressional hearing on August 24, citing inclement weather conditions. Congressman Aureo Ribeiro has stated that Ronaldinho will have another opportunity to testify on August 31. If he fails to appear again, law enforcement officials may apprehend him and bring him before the committee. Witnesses called to testify before Congress are legally obligated to do so, and failure to comply may result in fines and forcible intervention by the police.
The investigation centers on Ronaldinho's business venture known as '18kRonaldinho'. The company allegedly promised investors daily returns exceeding 2% through cryptocurrency investments. As a result, a lawsuit has been filed, seeking damages of more than $61 million from the company for failing to deliver the promised profits. This legal action now forms part of a broader investigation into cryptocurrency fraud within the country. Ronaldinho's legal team argues that he was merely an "ambassador" for the company and is, in fact, another victim of the alleged scam. They contend that his image and name were unlawfully exploited to deceive potential clients without his authorization. Additionally, Ronaldinho's involvement in the crypto business extends to a nonfungible token (NFT) collection, launched in collaboration with INFLUXO in 2021.
In 2020, Ronaldinho and his brother Roberto de Assis were arrested in Paraguay for entering the country with fake passports. They spent over 170 days behind bars as a result. Assis is also implicated in the ongoing crypto investigation. Preserve this historical moment and show your support for independent journalism in the cryptocurrency space by collecting this article as an NFT.
Published At
8/27/2023 4:42:03 PM
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