Brazilian Federal Police arrest 33 people in operation against illegal digital raffles.

Brazilian Federal Police arrested 33 people in an operation carried out on Wednesday (January 15). Among those arrested are influencer Chrys Dias, his wife Débora Paixão, musicians MC Ryan and MC Poze do Rodo, and Raphael Sousa Oliveira, owner of the website Choquei. The detainees are being investigated for suspected participation in a criminal organization dedicated to money laundering and tax evasion through digital raffles and online games, according to a report in Folha de S. Paulo.

The operation, named Narco Fluxo, targeted an alleged criminal organization that sold digital raffles and online games offering high-value prizes for low amounts. The suspects promoted raffles for real estate, vehicles, and cash for amounts that, in some cases, were less than R$1. The operation is an offshoot of Operations Narco Bet and Narco Vela, with the issuance of 39 temporary arrest warrants and 45 search and seizure warrants at 45 addresses distributed across nine states.

Hours before the arrest, Chrys Dias announced on his profile a raffle of a furnished apartment valued at R$ 200 thousand for the price of R$ 0,19. The offer also included a “scratch card” option, with raffles for three cars: a Toyota Corolla, a VW Golf TSI and a VW Jetta TSI. The prize draw was scheduled for 18 pm this Thursday (16), according to the influencer.

The raffles were advertised on social media with images of supposed winnings and links that directed followers to external platforms. After the police action, Débora Paixão posted videos during the Federal Police's handling of suspects. Subsequently, she resumed advertising games and links to access the platforms.

Investigation points to billion-dollar transactions.

The Federal Police identified that influencers used this format to attract participants and fuel the chain of suspected financial transactions. The investigation indicates that the funds originated mainly from the exploitation of unregulated gambling, betting, clandestine digital raffles, and digital fraud practices.

Federal agents point to evidence suggesting the scheme may also have been used for money laundering. The Federal Police are analyzing a possible link to international drug trafficking. The investigation seeks to verify whether this structure of raffles and financial transactions was used to circulate funds of illicit origin.

The discrepancy between the low investment value in the raffles and the alleged prizes offered caught the attention of federal investigators. The scheme under investigation is believed to have involved more than R$ 1,63 billion.

Originally from Capão Redondo, in the southern zone of São Paulo, Chrys Dias gained notoriety on social media by showcasing a luxurious lifestyle, with high-end properties, international travel, and imported cars. He began promoting online raffles and giveaways of high-value goods, such as vehicles and real estate. Furthermore, he presented himself as the manager of Ryan Santana dos Santos, MC Ryan, and other influencers. He maintained a close relationship with MC Ryan, who was identified as the leader and main beneficiary of the scheme.

Chrys Dias and Débora Paixão had already been the target of a Civil Police operation in 2024. At the time, they were investigated on suspicion of promoting gambling and illegally raising money through online raffles . Computers, luxury cars, and equipment used in the raffles were seized. The couple was arrested in Itupeva, in the interior of São Paulo.

Court order mandates asset freeze.

The court decision mandated the freezing of assets and restrictions on companies linked to those under investigation. The case is being processed in the 5th Federal Court of Santos, on the coast of São Paulo state. The targets of the operation may face charges such as criminal association, money laundering, and tax evasion.

According to a court ruling in the case, MC Ryan allegedly used companies linked to music production and entertainment to mix legitimate revenue with funds raised through illegal betting and digital raffles. The artist was identified as the leader and beneficiary of the money laundering scheme.

The Federal Police are analyzing whether the structure of raffles and financial transactions was used to circulate funds of illicit origin. Agents are investigating the connection between raffles and online games with a suspected money laundering and tax evasion scheme.

According to the Federal Police, the promotion of raffles and games followed a pattern repeated across the investigated profiles. Posts highlighted high winnings, accompanied by messages encouraging immediate participation and direct links to the platforms. Screenshots of alleged winnings and messages attributed to followers were also frequent. In these messages, followers reported having managed to pay off debts or help family members with the money obtained. This type of content functioned as social proof, creating the perception that the results were common and accessible, says the Federal Police.

Posts on the investigated profiles highlighted earnings reaching thousands of reais. In some cases, the values ​​of the raffles and games did not reach R$ 1. The Federal Police did not detail the individual role of each person under investigation.

Attorney Felipe Cassimiro Melo de Oliveira, who represents MC Ryan, stated that he did not have access to the proceedings. He emphasized that Ryan is an upstanding person and that "all funds passing through his accounts have a duly proven origin, being subject to rigorous control and the regular payment of taxes."

The news outlet sent a message via the Instagram profile @deborapaixaoficial. The profile has been updated since Wednesday (January 15th) with videos of the Federal Police operation and new game announcements. There was no response. The news outlet was unable to locate a defense for the couple Chrys Dias and Débora Paixão.