Bruno Henrique indicted amid allegations of betting scheme in 2023 Flamengo match

Brazilian footballer Bruno Henrique, who plays for Flamengo, has been indicted by the Federal Police for fraud and match-fixing in relation to suspicious betting activity during a 2023 match in the Brazilian championship, the Campeonato Brasileiro, between Flamengo and Santos.

According to reports from platforms Betano, GaleraBet and KTO, over 95% of bets placed before the match focused on the likelihood of Bruno Henrique receiving a yellow card. Betano alone reported that 98% of its bets for that match were directed at this specific outcome.

Investigators found that one of the bettors was Bruno Henrique’s brother, Wander Nunes Pinto Júnior. His account was flagged by a betting operator after identifying suspicious behavior and unusual betting volume. One of his bets was blocked from withdrawing.

Evidence cited by the Federal Police includes WhatsApp messages retrieved from Wander’s phone. The messages suggest Bruno Henrique may have informed his brother in advance about receiving a yellow card, enabling him to place targeted bets. In one message, Wander states: “On the day you gave me the yellow card idea, I bet 3,000 to win 12,000.”

Good to know: The investigation also links Bruno Henrique to a broader scheme involving the manipulation of disciplinary actions for financial gain through sports betting platforms

In another conversation, Wander asks the player for R$4,000 and refers to the suspended bet. Bruno Henrique’s responses were vague or dismissive, but the Federal Police interpreted the conversation as evidence of coordination.

While Bruno Henrique’s own phone contained little relevant data, investigators suspect messages were deleted. Out of nearly 4,000 conversations analyzed, many were empty or had been erased.

The case remains under review by Brazil’s Federal Police, and no trial date has been announced.