After what feels like far too long, news today that TelexFree co-founders Carlos Wanzeler and Carlos Costa have been arrested in Brazil.

Federal Police swooped in on Wanzeler and Costa in the early hours of Tuesday, December 16th.

Wanzeler was apprehended on the way to the gym. Costa was arrested at his home in Vila Velha.

Globo Media
were at the scene to snap a photo of Costa in custody:

Wanzeler and Costa were arrested in connection with “concealment of assets” (money laundering), relating to TelexFree.

Carlos Wanzeler (right), co-founder of TelexFree’s US operations, has been
on the run from US authorities
since 2014.

Wanzeler was
stripped of Brazilian citizenship
in 2018, paving the way for
extradition to the US
.

Carlos Costa (right), who ran TelexFree’s Brazilian operations (Ympactus) with Wanzeler, has had run ins with Brazilian authorities pertaining to
tax fraud
,
money laundering
and
asset forfeiture
.

In 2013, a year before TelexFree was shut down, Costa (right) declared God used him to create the $3 billion dollar Ponzi scheme.

Despite their criminal history, the lawyer representing Wanzeler and Costa in Brazil feigned ignorance when queried about the arrests.

We were surprised by this decision. We will need to know the inquiry that led to this action.

In addition to the arrests, fifteen Federal Police officers executed search and seizure warrants on three locations.

Criminal matters tend to progress slowly in Brazil but stay tuned for updates…

🤖 Quick Answer

Who are Carlos Wanzeler and Carlos Costa?
Carlos Wanzeler and Carlos Costa are co-founders of TelexFree, a multi-level marketing scheme. Wanzeler headed US operations while Costa managed Brazilian operations. Both were arrested in Brazil in December in connection with money laundering and asset concealment related to the fraudulent company.

When were Wanzeler and Costa arrested?
Carlos Wanzeler and Carlos Costa were arrested on Tuesday, December 16th, in the early morning hours. Wanzeler was apprehended while traveling to the gym, while Costa was arrested at his residence in Vila Velha, Brazil.

What charges were filed against them?
Both were arrested in connection with concealment of assets and money laundering allegations related to TelexFree operations. These charges stemmed from financial irregularities and fraud associated with the multi-level marketing scheme.

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