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The influencer arrested last Tuesday (10/14) during the Federal Police’s “Narco Bet” operation, was denounced this Friday (10/17) by the São Paulo Public Ministry for promoting illegal raffles, exploiting gambling and money laundering. The complaint is distinct from the process that resulted in the influencer’s arrest, but it exposes Buzeira’s involvement in illicit actions that moved millions of reais through social media.
According to the complaint filed by the Public Ministry, in partnership with the Special Action Group to Combat Organized Crime (GAECO), influencers Bruno Alexssander Souza Silva, known as “Buzeira”, and Rudny Alan Damasceno, known as “Rudny da Hornet”, used their social networks to promote draws and raffles without legal authorization, moving millions of reais and trying to give the appearance of legality to the amounts obtained.
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The complaint points out that, between October 2020 and June 2023, Buzeira “promoted lottery, without legal authorization” and “exploited gambling in a location accessible to the public, notably through social networks”. According to GAECO, he offered motorcycles, cars and money in raffles carried out on his own websites and published on profiles with millions of followers.
In one of the excerpts of the document, the Public Prosecutor’s Office describes how the scheme works: “When clicking on the links, the user is redirected to websites specializing in sweepstakes, where they sign up and make a bank transfer (deposit/PIX) directly into the bank accounts of the individuals involved, or legal entities, notably the creators of the raffle.”
The MPSP highlights that Buzeira raised large amounts of money with these actions, even admitting the profit in videos and testimonials. “In a period of a year and a half, it raised R$700,000.00 through illegal raffles.”
When interviewed during the investigation, the influencer “confessed to having promoted several digital raffles” and revealed that winners could choose “between receiving the announced prize or the equivalent amount in cash”.
Follower manipulation
The examination of Buzeira’s cell phone showed that he used the networks to pressure followers into buying shares. In one of the messages, he states: “Raffle total value 300 thousand | Winner 100 thousand | Fee 30 thousand | Profit 170 thousand profit divided by 2 = 85 thousand for each.”
In another dialogue, the influencer reveals the strategy to deceive the public: “Today I’m going to get crazy […] as if today was the draw […] But I’m going to make a lot of people buy it thinking it’s today.”
Furthermore, GAECO states that Buzeira used digital prestige to flaunt high-value assets and give the appearance of financial success. He even “simulated, inside a luxury vehicle dealership, the acquisition of a Porsche 911 vehicle”, although the car was in the name of a neighbor.
Ministry of Finance confirmed the illegality
The Undersecretariat for Regulation and Competition of the Ministry of Finance confirmed the irregularity of Buzeira and Rudny’s activities. The body was categorical in stating: “There is no legal authorization, in general, for the operation of draws such as raffles in the country.”
And he added: “Bruno Alexssander Souza Silva and Rudny Alan Damasceno […] have never been and, for now, are not authorized by the Ministry of Finance to carry out any type of draw […] The Ministry denied authorization to the company Buzeira Digital, as it involved a raffle operation.”
Money laundering and shell companies
The Public Prosecutor’s Office also accuses Buzeira of money laundering, arguing that he created a company to hide the origin of illegally obtained amounts.
“Buzeira established a company with share capital of R$30 million, which is completely incompatible with its Income Tax declaration for the year 2022.”
The same type of movement was identified in Rudny’s accounts. According to the complaint, “RUDNY’s banking analysis revealed inflows that reached R$ 10,964,989.08, without any identification of the depositors of part of this total”.
Crimes and legal framework
The MPSP included both influencers in articles 50 and 51 of the Criminal Offenses Law, which deal with the exploitation of games of chance and the promotion of illegal lotteries, and also in article 1 of Law No. 9,613/1998, which provides for punishment for money laundering.
“The Public Ministry denounces Alexssander Souza Silva and Rudny Alan Damasceno as having been involved, on numerous occasions, in articles 50 and 51 of the Criminal Misdemeanor Law […] and also, on numerous occasions, in article 1, caput, and §1, item I, of Law No. 9,613.”
The complaint emphasizes the reach of the accused and the power of influence over millions of followers.
“Digital influencers, taking advantage of the fact that they have millions of followers on social media and, therefore, potential consumers, promote raffles […] of high lucrative potential.”
After the complaint is filed, it is up to the Court to accept the accusations or not.
Arrested in Federal Police operation
by the Federal Police during the “Narco Bet” operation, accused of involvement in an alleged money laundering and international drug trafficking scheme. In addition to Buzeira, accountant Rodrigo Morgado and nine other people were arrested.
According to the process of more than 15 thousand pages, to which the LeoDias portal had exclusive access, Buzeira would be one of the main recipients of resources arising from illicit actions.
It is worth noting that the process that led to Buzeira’s arrest is not related to the complaint filed by the São Paulo Public Ministry this Friday (10/17). These are different processes and accusations.
