Amazonas police target two over recruiting influencers for 'Jogo do Tigrinho'

The Polícia Civil do Amazonas carried out search and seizure warrants on 21 October against two men suspected of recruiting digital influencers to promote the "jogo do tigrinho" on social media. The targets were Alexsandro Souza de Carvalho, 31, known as "Allex Carvalho", and Magnos Ramon Santos Marques, 32. The searches took place in the Caimbé and Treze de Setembro neighbourhoods of Boa Vista, the capital of Roraima.

The operation is the second phase of Operação Mantus and was followed by G1 Roraima. The first phase, launched on 27 April 2026, led to the arrest of eight people, seven of them digital influencers from Roraima who displayed luxury goods openly on social media. During the searches, officers seized mobile phones and electronic equipment at the homes of those under investigation. The material is to undergo forensic examination to identify other possible participants in the scheme.

A court also ordered the suspension of Alexsandro's Instagram profile, which has 30,200 followers and where he produces content on humour, politics and daily life. The measure is intended to stop the promotion of illegal betting platforms.

Eduardo Patrício, a delegate at the Delegacia Especial de Repressão a Crimes Cibernéticos (DERCC), said the two suspects not only promoted gambling but also brought in new influencers to widen the network. The investigation found that the group used demonstration accounts, known as "demo", programmed by the platforms themselves to always record wins. The participants thereby simulated high gains and misled followers with the promise of easy profit.

On 4 September 2026, the Ministério Público of Roraima charged 10 people linked to the scheme. The MP said the group moved R$67.5m over about two years of activity. Those charged face accusations of gambling exploitation, money laundering, criminal association and fraud.