Brazilian crypto influencer Gabriel Spalone held on extortion charges, preventive detention ordered

Gabriel Spalone, a 29-year-old digital influencer and entrepreneur with over 700,000 social media followers, was arrested in São Paulo on October 8, 2026, on suspicion of extortion and threatening two business partners. The arrest was carried out by civil police from the 1st Anti-Kidnapping Delegation (Antissequestro) at the authorization of the Regional Court of Guarantees in Osasco, São Paulo state.

Spalone is accused of threatening Marcio Eduardo Nozari and Marcel Rosica Anconi, partners in logistics company Cargobr Transportes Ltda., over a disputed monetary debt. According to prosecutors, after being released in connection with an earlier investigation, Spalone demanded payment of money he claimed was owed to him. The business partners stated they had offset the debt against financial losses from cryptocurrency investments that Spalone had presented to them but which did not exist. Spalone allegedly disputed this compensation and threatened the two entrepreneurs and their attorney, claiming to be a member of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), a major criminal organization, and threatening to kidnap their family members if his demands were not met. Police also seized three mobile phones, a tablet, and a notebook during the arrest.

On October 9, 2026, a judge ordered Spalone's preventive detention, and he was transferred to the Provisional Detention Center (CDP) in Osasco. His defense attorney, Eduardo Maurício, denied that Spalone is affiliated with the PCC and stated the defense would seek revocation of the preventive detention and, if necessary, file a habeas corpus petition, arguing there was no threat, extortion, or criminal organization affiliation.

Spalone's arrest comes as part of ongoing legal troubles. He is currently a defendant in a separate criminal case investigating an alleged R$146 million fraud scheme involving unauthorized Pix transfers from a bank and private companies. In September 2025, police launched Operation Dubai targeting Spalone and two others in connection with this scheme. Spalone was not immediately located and subsequently traveled internationally. He was arrested by Interpol at Buenos Aires airport on September 27, 2025, after being added to Interpol's Red Notice, and was extradited to Brazil. In February 2026, a court granted him provisional liberty in the fraud case. Spalone owns the fintechs Dubai Cash and Next Trading Dubai, both focused on payment and investment operations.