Brazilian police have arrested a man they suspect to have hacked into Neymar’s bank accounts and withdrew repeatedly smaller sums amounting to more than 40,000 dollars, according to officials in Sao Paulo.
The alleged hacker worked at an undisclosed bank where the PSG and Brazil player, as well as his business manager father, held accounts, said the police.
According to a police statement, the 20-year-old was arrested on Wednesday “for defrauding bank clients.”
Although the police did not name the player in the statement, the case officer confirmed that it was Neymar.
He told the Brazilian TV show Brasil Urgente about the suspected theft.
“What did this lad do?” said Fabio Pinheiro Lopes. “He got the password of his office colleague and stole small amounts of money from famous people with high net worth.”
“These people didn’t notice. He made (a transfer) of 10,000 (reais) (1,912.59 dollars), then another of 10,000, then 20,000, and then 50,0000 and the total came to 200,000.”
Lopes said the account affected was Neymar’s and that his father likely controlled the funds.
“When they discovered they called the bank. The bank reimbursed the victim and investigated who was behind it,” he said.
Neymar’s press officer did not comment on the case when contacted by Reuters.
