Brazil’s Federal Police wrapped up their first report under Operation Narco Bet this week. The investigation indicted 11 people for what investigators call a structured money-laundering operation.
Influencer Bruno Alexssander Souza Silva, known as Buzeira, allegedly led the scheme alongside accountant Rodrigo Morgado. Police say Buzeira generated revenue through clandestine betting platforms and illegal raffles. Morgado, according to the report, functioned as the group’s “private bank.”
The case now sits with the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, which has filed formal charges. All 11 suspects face different combinations of money laundering, criminal organisation and document fraud charges.
Why This Case Signals Broader Enforcement Shifts
The investigation started by examining potential links between drug trafficking proceeds and gambling operations. But the final charges focus entirely on economic crimes.
Police froze over BR630m ($118m) in assets across the investigation. That’s among the largest seizures in recent Brazilian betting enforcement cases. The operation hit four states with 19 search warrants and 11 arrests.
Morgado’s defence argues the case changed direction. “It became clear that the alleged organisation refers exclusively to possible economic offences,” his lawyer said. There’s no drug trafficking accusation in the final complaint.
What Police Found During the Raids
Investigators seized luxury cars, jewellery, watches and jet skis during the operation. They also grabbed cash at multiple locations.
The report details BR156m moving through Morgado’s personal accounts. He received more than $15m in cryptocurrency, according to police records.
Morgado allegedly created shell companies and issued invoices without backing. One invoice totalled BR50m just to justify incoming funds. Police say he bought a BR6m property as part of the laundering process. He also ran crypto accounts and operated what investigators call a parallel cash system.
Nine suspects got indicted for money laundering. Four face charges for running a criminal organisation. Three are charged with using falsified documents in business filings.
How the Scheme Exploited Multiple Systems
Police uncovered 21 different laundering techniques used by Buzeira and Morgado together. That level of sophistication isn’t common in Brazilian betting cases.
The group moved money through illegal raffles first, then pushed it into unlicensed betting platforms. From there, funds flowed through shell companies before re-entering the formal financial system.
This case shows how unlicensed operators create pathways for financial crime beyond just illegal gambling. Brazilian authorities now face pressure to close those gaps as the regulated market develops.
