at decapitalising the criminal organisation and repairing damages resulting from its illegal activities. Te reach of the Narco Bet operation has even stretched as far as Germany where police carried out a precautionary arrest warrant against one of the suspects.
Investigations indicate that the criminal group used sophisticated money laundering techniques, with financial transactions in cryptocurrencies and international remittances. It has also been determined that part of the funds moved were allegedly directed to business structures linked to the online betting sector. Tose under investigation may face charges of money laundering and criminal conspiracy, with evidence suggesting transnational activity.
Narco Bet itself is an offshoot of another investigation called Operation Narco Vela, which focused on suppressing drug trafficking by sea from the Brazilian coast. Tis led to the seizure of a Brazilian sailboat by the United States Navy in 2023, revealing a maritime trafficking route between South America and Europe. Since then, authorities have been
tracking how drug money has been injected into the legal market through gambling and cryptocurrencies.
Tis year Operation Misfortune aimed specifically at influencers was launched by the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro in three states: Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and São Paulo. Agents from the Organized Crime and Money Laundering Division (DCOC-LD) went out to execute 31 search and seizure warrants against 15 targets — most of them influencers who together have almost 35 million followers on Instagram and TikTok.
Investigators found that the suspects used social media to lure followers with promises of "easy profits" from illegal raffles and unauthorised online gambling. Tey exhibited lavish lifestyles, travelling internationally, owning luxury cars, and valuable properties, while suspected bank transactions exceeding R$4bn raised red flags with Brazil’s national Financial Intelligence Unit. Beyond promoting illegal gambling, the suspects are accused of operating within a structured criminal organisation with defined roles employing shell companies to launder illicit funds.
Sitting front and centre in the controversy surrounding influencers and illegal gambling has been Fortune Tiger known as “Jogo do Tigrinho” in Brazil. Its popularity has surged through social media transitioning from an obscure platform to a major social media sensation. Influencers have marketed the game as a fast income opportunity. According to reports in local media in some cases creators distribute commission-based links, and for every new user that signs up through their referral, they earn a percentage of the losses incurred. Many of these influencers have been found to be working under the guidance of criminals orchestrating scams.
Brazilian influencer Eduardo Felipe Campelo was arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in July after being included on Interpol's international wanted list. While he has been released, he still faces extradition. Campelo is suspected of defrauding victims through the Jogo do Tigrinho. According to the Paraná Civil Police he moved approximately R$8.5m through the platform. Te police also state that he continues to promote it, violating a court order that prohibits him from encouraging the use of the platform.
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