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Ronaldinho Faces Possible Imprisonment Over Cryptocurrency Scam Allegations

Konstantin Evdokimov/Unsplash

Renowned Brazilian footballer, Ronaldinho, may be imprisoned if he fails to appear before the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies, regarding allegations of a cryptocurrency pyramid scheme linked to one of his companies.

Ronaldinho's failure to comply with the previous summons has not gone unnoticed. Aureo Ribeiro, the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee, has announced that Ronaldinho has been summoned once again, with a stern warning: should he fail to appear this time, authorities may resort to force to bring him to Brasilia for questioning.

The former Brazil international has become a key suspect in the investigation due to the involvement of one of his companies in the elaborate scam. Dubbed "18kRonaldinho," the firm promised investors extraordinary returns of over 2 percent per day by investing a minimum of $30 in virtual currencies.

Ronaldinho's association with the company was limited to being an "ambassador" in name, as it was originally established as a watch and jewelry trading enterprise. However, the Brazilian Public Prosecutor's Office alleges that the organization later shifted its focus to financial pyramid schemes involving cryptocurrencies, implicating Ronaldinho in the scam.

Ronaldinho's legal team claims he was an unwitting victim, asserting that the company unlawfully used his name and image without authorization to deceive potential clients.

The scope of the alleged scam perpetrated by Ronaldinho's company is substantial. Customers who fell victim to the scheme began noticing numerous irregularities, prompting a collective civil action seeking damages. A complaint has been filed against "18kRonaldinho," representing all affected individuals, totaling a staggering $61.2 million in claims.

The investigation into the pyramid scheme continues to unfold, and Ronaldinho's appearance before the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies is crucial for authorities to gather further evidence. The football legend's fate hangs in the balance as he faces potential imprisonment if found guilty of the accusations leveled against him.

Photo: Konstantin Evdokimov/Unsplash

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