Brazil's Federal Police have arrested digital influencer Thayna da Rocha Endringer and her husband, Flavio dos Santos Medina.
The couple was arrested as part of an investigation into an alleged criminal organization accused of laundering money from drug trafficking through illegal online betting platforms.
The arrests were carried out during Operation Slots, which targeted suspects across six Brazilian states. According to investigators, the group allegedly used shell companies, unauthorized betting platforms and social media influencers to disguise and move illicit funds.
Endringer, who has more than 240,000 followers on social media, was arrested at a luxury residential complex in Espírito Santo state. Authorities said her content frequently featured luxury travel and promotions for online betting platforms.
The couple's lawyers denied the allegations with one lawyer saying the accusations relate only to alleged financial crimes and not drug trafficking, while a separate lawyer representing Endringer stated that she is no longer in a relationship with Medina and intends to challenge the charges during the legal proceedings.
In addition to the arrests, Federal Police executed 14 search and seizure warrants in 6 Brazilian states.
According to it, the influencers promoted illegal betting platforms that improperly displayed the logos of Brazil's Betting Management System (SIGAP), the Ministry of Finance and advertising self-regulator Conar to create the false impression that the platforms were legally authorized.
Ironically, the case happens in the same week that Brazil's Ministry of Health announced plans to launch a nationwide awareness campaign focused on the risks associated with online betting.
Brazilian courts also ordered the freezing and seizure of assets worth up to BR951.1m, including luxury vehicles and a high-value property and the suspects' declared income was incompatible with the growth of their assets
