YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — The Spanish newspaper El Diario has reported that Omegapro, a cryptocurrency scheme, defrauded investors of €3 billion. The report characterizes Omegapro as a pyramid scheme, which lured people in by promising significant returns within just 14 months. Football legends such as Kaká, Luis Figo, Iker Casillas, Roberto Carlos, Fernando Hierro, Ronaldinho, and Carles Puyol promoted Omegapro. Their involvement added credibility to the project, which later unraveled as a scheme leaving countless investors with massive losses.
These football icons, many of whom played for Real Madrid and Barcelona, attended promotional events or shared endorsements on social media. Their participation drew the attention of many potential investors, who trusted the project based on the players’ reputations. For investors, endorsements from such prominent names made Omegapro seem legitimate and trustworthy.
Heavy Losses Sparked by Celebrity Endorsements
Victims of the scam, which had global reach, shared their experiences with El Diario. According to these accounts, many people were persuaded to invest in Omegapro because of the footballers’ involvement. One investor, Dolores, explained how she lost her entire savings—€18,000. Expressing disbelief, she asked,
“How was it supposed to be a scam? If even the footballers were involved and the company’s logo was projected on the skyscraper in Dubai!”
The El Diario report suggests that Omegapro’s marketing strategies included large-scale displays, such as projecting its logo on a skyscraper in Dubai, which further built the illusion of legitimacy. Although these football stars may not have known the full scope of Omegapro’s plans, their public support encouraged others to invest, leading to significant financial damages for many individuals.
Legal Consequences for Omegapro Executives and Possible Implications for Footballers
Following the exposure of the Omegapro scheme, Spanish authorities have detained three of its executives, while two more remain at large. The attorney representing the defrauded investors confirmed plans to bring all endorsers—direct or indirect—before a judge. This includes football legends who took part in Omegapro events or promoted the scheme online.
As of now, none of the involved footballers have publicly commented on their involvement. The legal actions against Omegapro’s leaders may soon extend to these endorsers.
Ronaldinho’s Previous Association with Another Crypto Scam Scandal
In addition to his involvement with Omegapro, Ronaldinho has faced scrutiny for his connections to other dubious crypto ventures. Brazilian authorities investigated him last year for his role in a crypto project named “18kRonaldinho.” This scheme claimed it would deliver daily returns of 2% to those investing at least $30.
When the investigation began, Ronaldinho initially did not appear in court but later stated that his involvement was purely promotional. He claimed that his name and image were used without his full understanding. However, the “18kRonaldinho” project was later revealed to be a Ponzi scheme, raising concerns about celebrity involvement in similar ventures.
Omegapro Scheme: Regulatory Warnings and Red Flags
According to the El Diario report, Omegapro had attracted attention from regulators before its collapse. In 2020, the Spanish Securities Market Commission (CNMV) included it in a list of non-transparent financial entities. Despite these warnings, Omegapro continued to grow, leveraging multiple high-profile endorsements to attract investors.
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