Authorities raid ex–Big Brother contestant’s home over alleged illegal gambling promotion
Joel Ojeda’s residence in Buenos Aires was searched as part of a broader investigation.
Key Points
- The operation, led by the Buenos Aires City Lottery and FEJA, seized electronics and ARS398,930 in cash
- The case is part of a larger crackdown that has blocked over 2,300 social media profiles linked to illegal betting promotion
Argentinian authorities conducted a raid at the home of Joel Ojeda, a former Big Brother contestant, as part of an investigation into the promotion of illegal online gambling platforms through social media.
The operation, carried out by the Buenos Aires City Lottery, the Judicial Police (CIJ), personnel from the DDI of San Miguel, and the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Gambling (FEJA), resulted in the seizure of an iPhone 15, two high-end laptops, and ARS398,930 ($280) in cash at Ojeda’s residence in the Muñiz neighborhood of San Miguel.
According to police sources, Ojeda has been promoting and recruiting bettors through social media since at least January 2025. He was questioned by prosecutors in April but allegedly continued recruiting activities on a near-daily basis.
Following the raid, Ojeda issued a statement on social media platform X denying the severity of the allegations. He wrote: “I was never detained or handcuffed. Yes, 12 people raided my house looking for who knows what. Of course, they found nothing. They took my phone, my computer, and ARS400,000 from my mother’s pension.”
Ojeda criticized the operation, stating: “I think there are more important raids to be done in the country, don’t you think? It’s incredible, they turned my house upside down as if I were a drug trafficker, while real drug dealers walk free. Pure circus to cover up the things that are really important.”
The former reality TV participant announced he would appear before prosecutors within 72 hours to address the charges.
The raid was part of a broader enforcement action coordinated by Buenos Aires City Lottery, led by Jesús Acevedo, alongside the FEJA under prosecutor Juan Rozas and the Specialized Cybercrime Unit (UFEIC) of San Isidro, headed by Alejandro Musso.
Good to know: Coti Romero, another former Big Brother contestant, was also raided earlier this month in connection with the promotion of unlicensed gambling platforms in Argentina
The operation included over 30 simultaneous court-ordered raids, the blocking of approximately 2,300 social media profiles and posts, and the issuance of around 100 legal notices to individuals involved.
Commissioner Pablo Machicote, who led the operation, stated that the action is part of an ongoing investigation into clandestine gambling operations and the blocking of thousands of social media profiles associated with illegal betting schemes.
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