- Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho is under investigation for possible involvement in a cryptocurrency scam
- Ronaldinho’s lawyers argue that he is a victim of fraud, with criminals illegally using his name
- Ronaldinho’s history in the crypto world is drawing more public attention to this case
Ronaldinho, one of the greatest footballers of all time, is under scrutiny by Brazilian authorities over allegations of involvement in a cryptocurrency scam. Despite being summoned to court to provide a statement, Ronaldinho failed to appear and did not provide an explanation for his absence.
Expected to Appear in Court Next Week
Reports suggest that the former star of FC Barcelona, AC Milan, and the Brazilian national football team may have been involved in a scam linked to a dubious company called “18kRonaldinho”. The scheme offered generous but fraudulent profits of 2% per day to those who invested at least $30 in digital currencies. Ronaldinho was initially introduced as the ambassador of the organization, which was selling watches and jewelry. Despite being summoned to court to provide more information about his potential role in the company, Ronaldinho did not show up. Interestingly, even if he had appeared, he would have had the right to remain silent in front of the judges.
Rio de Janeiro federal deputy Áureo Lídio Moreira Ribeiro stated that authorities have summoned Ronaldinho to appear in court on August 30. Ribeiro warned that if he fails to show up again, law enforcement will “forcefully” bring him to court. The former footballer’s lawyers insist that their client is actually a victim of fraud, claiming that criminals illegally used his image and name to defraud more people. The defrauded investors who uncovered the potential scam are demanding a refund of 300 million reals (approximately $61 million) for the financial and emotional damage they have suffered.
Not Ronaldinho’s First Project
Although the aforementioned case has not yet been resolved, it should be noted that the Brazilian joined the crypto ecosystem more than a year ago within legal frameworks. Ronaldinho, known for his constant smile while playing football and his respectful attitude towards opponents, has a wide fan base and nearly 75 million followers on Instagram. Ronaldinho has taken advantage of this situation at every opportunity and this is not his first foray into the crypto sector.
Last February, Ronaldinho partnered with New World Inc., a subsidiary of Graph Blockchain, becoming the organization’s ambassador and introducing NFT experiences to his countless fans. A few months later, the athlete signed another deal and collaborated with the decentralized exchange P00LS to launch his own token, RON.
Conclusion
While the investigation is ongoing, it’s clear that Ronaldinho’s involvement in the crypto world has drawn significant attention. Whether he is a victim or a participant in the alleged scam remains to be seen. Regardless, this case serves as a reminder of the potential risks and pitfalls in the crypto sector, and the importance of due diligence when investing.
