A retired former Manchester United soccer star, Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira, has been charged in connection with a wide-ranging cryptocurrency fraud probe as part of an investigation into suspected money laundering through cryptocurrency. Brazilian player Anderson, who retired in 2020, was identified as one of eight suspects involved in a money-laundering operation thought to have handled some R$35 million in illicit funds through digital currency.
State prosecutor of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil brought a complaint against Anderson and others.
A complaint from the state prosecutor of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil was brought against Anderson and the others, with the central court of Porto Alegre accepting the complaint on August 17. The laundering operation was said to have involved moving the millions from a Brazilian stock exchange, which was then used to purchase digital currency. Prosecutors have alleged that this was done to cover tracks and to clean the funds that had been taken. Since bitcoin has gained more and more mainstream exposure, crypto scams have also increased.
Anderson maintains his innocence.
Anderson has maintained his innocence, saying he has held digital currency reserves since 2019. While he does not dispute that one of his companies sold Segwit to one of the other individuals implicated in the operation, he claims he was unaware of the origin of the money. Investigators will now look further into Anderson’s involvement and his company to determine whether a conviction is possible. Anderson’s lawyer said Cezar Coitinho Junior said it was hard to comment in much detail given the nature of the case. “There is an investigation underway. Anderson has said he is aware. But Anderson is going to prove that he was a victim, not an accomplice. That is his position.”
