Police investigate link between FIFA and ticket scalpers.

The Rio Civil Police are investigating whether there is a connection between a gang of ticket scalpers selling World Cup tickets, members of FIFA, the Brazilian delegation, and delegations from other countries; the gang confessed to operating in four other World Cups; the group reportedly made up to R$ 1 million per game and could have profited around R$ 200 million in this World Cup; a ticket for the final at the Maracanã, for example, was worth R$ 35; the head of the 18th Precinct (Praça da Bandeira), Fábio Barucke, confirms that there are indications of FIFA members' involvement in the scheme; seven other people are being sought.

July 02, 2014, 18:13 pmUpdated July 10, 2018, 09:35 pm

The Rio Civil Police are investigating whether there is a connection between a gang of ticket scalpers selling World Cup tickets, members of FIFA, the Brazilian delegation, and delegations from other countries; the gang confessed to operating in four other World Cups; the group reportedly made up to R$ 1 million per game and could have profited around R$ 200 million in this World Cup; a ticket for the final at the Maracanã, for example, was worth R$ 35; the head of the 18th Police Station (Praça da Bandeira), Fábio Barucke, confirms that there are indications of FIFA members' involvement in the scheme; seven other people are being sought (Photo: Leonardo Lucena).

Rio 247 – Rio's Civil Police are investigating whether there is a connection between a gang of ticket scalpers selling World Cup tickets, members of FIFA, the Brazilian delegation, and delegations from other countries. The gang confessed to operating in four other World Cups. According to investigations, the group earned up to R$ 1 million per game and could profit around R$ 200 million in this World Cup. A ticket for the final at the Maracanã, for example, was costing R$ 35. On Tuesday (1), 11 people were arrested – nine in Rio and two in São Paulo – during a police operation that executed 20 search and seizure warrants. The gang allegedly obtained 50 tickets that would be sold for one thousand euros each. The head of the 18th DP (Praça da Bandeira), Fábio Barucke, confirms that there are indications of participation by FIFA members in the scheme. Seven other people are being sought.

Among those arrested is the Algerian-born French citizen Mohamadou Lamine Fofana, 57. Accused of being the group's leader, he claimed to be a businessman connected to football. Besides having access to exclusive FIFA areas, the Algerian was seen entering the Copacabana Palace, where the entire FIFA leadership is staying. Ironically, in the same location, two Englishmen were caught on the 21st selling World Cup tickets.

According to the police chief, those involved bought tickets distributed by FIFA as complimentary and resold them at prices far above the official price list. Barucke stated that "members of the gang arrested received ticket orders, entered the Copacabana Palace, and left with the ordered tickets." "We have sufficient evidence to understand that there are people from FIFA involved," he added.

Investigations also indicate that the ticket scalpers used three travel agencies in Copacabana, a neighborhood in Rio's South Zone, to contact tourists who wanted to buy tickets. Those involved also used the companies to launder the money collected from ticket sales. The agencies were shut down.

The 11 ticket scalpers were taken to the Gericinó Penitentiary Complex and will face charges of ticket scalping, conspiracy, and money laundering. Also imprisoned there are four Chileans, one Paraguayan, and one Colombian, caught inside the Maracanã stadium on June 18th with fake credentials during the Chile vs. Spain match.

FIFA has not yet commented on the case and has only stated that it has not been notified by the courts.