Anderson, a former Manchester United and Brazil midfielder, is allegedly facing various criminal accusations related to his role in a cryptocurrency racket, including aggravated theft, fraud, and money laundering.
According to Brazilian publication Globo, the 33-year-old is being investigated for his suspected role in an illegal scheme last year while working as an assistant manager at Turkish Super Lig club Adana Demirspor.
Following an inquiry by officials in his birthplace of Porto Alegre in the south of Brazil, a total of eight people were charged with the same offence.
More precisely, the gang is suspected of diverting funds and then concealing the money trail through crypto operations.
The investigation has been nicknamed ‘Cryptoshow’ by the Rio Grande do Sul state Public Prosecutor’s office, and Anderson’s Porto Alegre flat was reportedly raided by officials in 2020, with his personal computer taken.
Anderson later stated that he had been operating as a cryptocurrency dealer, but denied any involvement in criminal activity.
A total of 30 million Brazilian reais ($5.5 million) was allegedly taken from a big domestic manufacturing enterprise in April.
Prosecutors say the money was put in 11 bank accounts spanning four states in South America’s largest country, then laundered through the purchase of cryptocurrency both abroad and in Brazil.
When asked for comment by local media behemoth Globoesporte, Julio Cezar Coitinho Junior, the four-time Premier League winner’s lawyer, said: “We have not been summoned, it is difficult to talk right now.”
“There is an investigation underway, Anderson has said he is aware. But Anderson is going to prove that he was a victim, not an accomplice. That is his position.”
Anderson’s current club, where he concluded his playing career last year before taking over as manager, has yet to comment on his legal issues.
