Former Barcelona and Brazil legend Ronaldinho could get arrested and put into jail another time. This time it involves one of his companies that the Brazil government is investigating. The customers of the company ’18kRonaldinho’ complained saying the company runs a pyramid scheme that’s probably made up of cryptocurrencies. The Brazilian Chamber of Deputies have summoned him a few times. However, the former Brazilian did not appear in front of them. Now, he might be arrested another time if he fails to appear again.
Former Brazil and Barcelona legend Ronaldinho has several companies operating under his name around the world. Some of these companies are his own businesses. The current controversy revolves around a company named ’18kRonaldinho’. Apparently, the company was initially opened as a jewellery and watch trader. However, as per the Brazilian Public Prosecutor’s Office, from a later stage, the company’s name was only used to handle its financial side. Reportedly, the company had been financially duping people in a pyramid scheme involving cryptocurrencies.
As per reports, the company was scamming people by promising them false monetary gains. They offered more than 2% monetary gain per day to investors who put a minimum of 30 dollars in virtual money into the company. A few of the customers filed complaints over the company. Hence, a civil action started against the company representing all the affected parties. They all have claimed about $61.2 million from ’18kRonaldinho’ for property damage. Apparently, Ronaldinho only appeared as an ‘ambassador’ in the company’s glossary.
It’s not yet known how much Ronaldinho is involved in this scam. However, his lawyers have assured that the player himself is a victim in this case. They are assuring that the company used Ronaldinho’s name and figure illegally without his authorization to swindle money from their customers. Nonetheless, the Brazilian had been scheduled to appear in front of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies a few times previously. He failed to appear and his next scheduled date is 24th August this year.
As per Brazil’s law, witnesses that have been subpoenaed to appear before the authorities have the legal duty to do so. If they fail to do this, as per rules, they can be fined a large amount and taken forcibly to the authorities by the state police. Hence, it can turn out to be troublesome for the Brazilian legend if he doesn’t appear on the scheduled date.