Woman of ‘Bitcoin Pharaoh’ is arrested in Chicago, United States | Rio de Janeiro

The Federal Police (PF) arrested Venezuelan Mirelis Diaz Zerpa, the wife of the “Pharaoh of Bitcoins”, in an operation this Wednesday (24). The woman, who had been on the run for two and a half years, was found in Chicago, in the United States.

According to the PF, the foreigner was in the country illegally, in addition to having an outstanding arrest warrant from the 3rd Federal Criminal Court of Rio de Janeiro. She is accused of crimes against the National Financial System, money laundering and integration of a criminal organization.

The action was a collaboration between the Federal Police, US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the US Secret Service.

Money seized by the PF in an operation that arrested a pyramid scam suspect is counted

Until 2014, Glaidson Acácio dos Santos received just over R$800 as a waiter, in a chic restaurant on Orla Bardot, in Búzios, Lagos Region. In 7 years, became a millionaire who generated at least R$2 billion in a company suspected of carrying out the scam known as “pyramid”.

A GAS Bitcoin ConsultingGlaidson’s company, promised 10% profit on customer investments in the cryptocurrency market. According to the investigation by the Federal Police (PF) and the Federal Public Ministry (MPF), which led to Glaidson’s arrest, the firm did not even invest in bitcoins – profits were paid out to customers while other people’s money came in.

The businessman’s house, in Cabo Frio, is valued at R$9 million, has security and luxury cars at the door.

A police officer stated that he had not seen so much cash in cash during Operation Lava Jato seizures.

In addition to reais, there were 100 pounds sterling, dollars and euros. In the garage, a Porsche and a BMW were found.

GAS Consultoria Bitcoin, Glaidson’s company, was investigated for two years. In a statement to the police, he even denied that he dealt with cryptocurrencies. He stated that he worked with artificial intelligence, information technology and software production.

The wife of Glaidson Acácio dos Santos, the “Pharaoh of Bitcoins”, even went live from the United States, where he currently lives, to talk about his new passions: the use of artificial intelligence in arts and music.

This Tuesday, the day before being arrested, Mirelis made a post, in Spanish, stating that the quality of life “is forged to the extent that we are willing to invest in ourselves, without letting other people’s opinions dictate our path” .

“Move forward, trust yourself and don’t be afraid to bet big on your personal growth”, she adds in her motivational text.

The day before, she had published a selfie in Times Square, a famous tourist spot in New York. In the background of the photo, George M. Cohan’s monument appears, and the photo is accompanied by the caption that says: “Life gives us lessons, and gratitude teaches us to appreciate them.”

In one comment, a man wishes her protection and says, “We believe in you.”

She invests in a DJ career, which was announced on a sign in Times Square, in New York.

In conversations with followers last year, there were those who claimed money lost in investments (look above), whoever called her for new business and whoever called her names. But Mirelis was only concerned with pleasing her followers and promising new content for the social network.

“I’m going to create more content, arts content, and for now, I’m still here, listening to my music”, he said at the end of the live.

Outside of the live, however, Mirelis posted content indicating a text about cryptocurrencies and investment on her YouTube channel.

Part of this money was used to buy a plane, a Rolls Royce and, of course, to start his DJ career.

An investigation by the Federal Police and the Federal Public Ministry estimates that Mirelis, Glaidson dos Santos and other partners of the GAS Consulting have moved approximately R$38 billion in a scheme known as a financial pyramid and harmed cryptocurrency investors.

In 2023, Mirelis’ defense went so far as to say that she lived legally in the United States and that she never had an administrative, legal or accounting role at GAS. And that she didn’t even have access to company data.