Ex-Man Utd ace Anderson investigated for alleged role in scheme to launder £4.7m
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Former Manchester United star Anderson is under investigation for allegedly laundering £4.7million through cryptocurrencies in Brazil, according to reports.
Anderson, who spent seven years as a player at Old Trafford, was named by Brazilian newspaper Globo as one of eight people accused by a state prosecutor of involvement with the scheme, which was designed to divert 35 million Brazilian reals (£4.7million) from the state stock exchange and launder money using cryptocurrencies.
While the state prosecutor chose not to name any of the individuals, the report states it had confirmed the ex-United midfielder was under investigation for his role in the scheme.
The individuals being investigated have been accused of several crimes including theft, belonging to a criminal organisation and the laundering of goods, property or valuables.
Dating back to over a year ago, the investigation – named Crpytoshow – got underway when the state prosecutor issued 13 search and seizure warrants in the region of Porto Alegre.
Anderson's apartment was one of the buildings that was searched as part of the investigation.
The Brazilian told Globo he has been investing in cryptocurrencies since 2019, while confirming his company had sold bitcoins to one of the companies involved.
However, he insists he did not know it had been generated from illegal sources.
His lawyer, Julio Cezar Coitinho Junior, has said he will "prove he was a victim, not a participant."
Anderson began his professional career with local Brazilian side Gremio before securing a move to Porto in 2006.
One year later he joined United, playing a key part in the club's Premier League and Champions League double in his debut season at Old Trafford.
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The midfielder got his hands on another three Premier League titles before leaving in 2015, heading back to Brazil to sign for Internacional.
Following a later spell in Turkey with Adana Demirspor, Anderson retired from football in 2020.
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