As the years drag on, how TelexFree mastermind Carlos Wanzeler has been supporting himself in Brazil has been a bit of mystery.

Insight into Wanzeler’s plans for the future have finally been revealed, following the arrest of a Brazilian national in Massachusetts.

Our story begins with Carlos Wanzeler’s nephew.

According to Homeland Security, Wanzeler’s nephew

was himself a participant (in TelexFree), helped Wanzeler run the company, and also actively participated in laundering TelexFree funds.

Wanzeler’s nephew has been interviewed by US and Brazilian authorities but denies his involvement in laundering TelexFree funds.

Wanzeler
fled the US
in 2014 as regulators closed in on the
TelexFree Ponzi scheme
. He remains a fugitive and is wanted by US authorities. Wanzeler’s nephew also currently resides in Brazil.

According to an affidavit filed by a Special Agent with Homeland Security, US authorities have exchanging information with Brazilian Federal Police for some time.

In or about August 2015, the BFP told HSI that, as a result of data retrieved from a cellular telephone belonging to Wanzeler and other information, BFP had learned that in or about October 2014 Wanzeler sent three people from Brazil to the United States to pick up money and return to Brazil (presumably TelexFree proceeds Wanzeler had been forced to leave in the United States when he fled in April 2014).

One of these people was Cleber Rene Rizerio Rocha (right).

In mid 2015 an intermediary working for Carlos Wanzeler contacted an individual about laundering TelexFree funds out of the US.

The intermediary asked for help getting bulk cash out of the United States by laundering the money through Hong Kong accounts, using it to buy Brazilian reals, and moving the funds to Brazil.

The indvidual wasn’t working with the US government at the time, but began cooperating as a government witness in October, 2015.

That same month he contacted the intermediary

and told her that he could indeed help move the money out of the United States.

Following this, the witness was contacted by Wanzeler’s nephew.

In October 2015, the witness met in Brazil with the intermediary and Wanzeler’s nephew, who the intermediary referred to as her “boss.”

The witness reiterated his ability to safely transfer large sums internationally.

Wanzeler’s nephew said he would have to talk to his own boss and get back to the witness.

Agents believe that this “boss” is Carlos Wanzeler, the nephew’s uncle.

Wanzeler was looking to launder about $40 million in stolen TelexFree funds out of the US.

Over the next several months the witness had conversations with the intermediary and Wanzeler’s nephew about moving the money out of the United States.

The intermediary told the witness that the money needed to be moved because Wanzeler’s wife (still in the United States) was filing for divorce and knew where the money was located.

In January 2016, Wanzeler’s nephew and the witness discussed moving money out of

🤖 Quick Answer

Who is Carlos Wanzeler and what is his connection to TelexFree?
Carlos Wanzeler is the mastermind behind TelexFree, a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors. He fled the United States in 2014 when regulators closed in on the fraudulent operation and remains a fugitive wanted by American authorities for his role in orchestrating the scheme.

How has Wanzeler been supporting himself while evading authorities?
The specifics of Wanzeler's financial support while in hiding in Brazil remained unclear for years. Recent arrests have revealed he utilized accomplices, including family members, to launder TelexFree funds and transfer money to sustain himself while evading law enforcement.

What role did Wanzeler's nephew play in the scheme?
Wanzeler's nephew participated in TelexFree as an investor and helped operate

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